Pulmonary vein isolation combined with spironolactone or renal sympathetic denervation in patients with chronic kidney disease, uncontrolled hypertension, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and a pacemaker

Hypertension and atrial fibrillation

Hypertension is the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor underlying atrial fibrillation and is present in up to 40% of patients with atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, attributable risk studies have shown that a history of hypertension contributes to up to 24% of incident atrial fibrillation. New data suggest that even early forms of hypertension (prehypertension and aortic stiffness) are associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation development. Hypertension and prehypertension are therefore critical mediators for the development of atrial fibrillation. Mechanisms for the association between hypertension and atrial fibrillation include diffuse electro-structural changes to the left atrium, driven by the haemodynamic and neurohormonal influences of hypertension and other, frequently coexisting, cardiovascular risk factors. Management of hypertension in atrial fibrillation should focus not only on blood pressure reduction but also on a comprehensive risk factor modification strategy. Such strategies have been shown to be associated with significant improvements in atrial fibrillation symptom burden as well as improved arrhythmia-free survival and reversal of the progression of atrial fibrillation. These strategies should focus on dietary modifications as well as prescribed exercise programmes involving a multidisciplinary team and patient-centred atrial fibrillation care. Risk factor management, supplemented by antihypertensive medications as needed, provides the optimum strategy for improving outcomes and even reversing the natural progression of atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertension.

Renal denervation in the antihypertensive arsenal - knowns and known unknowns

Even though it has been more than a decade since renal denervation (RDN) was first used to treat hypertension and an intense effort on researching this therapy has been made, it is still not clear how RDN fits into the antihypertensive arsenal. There is no question that RDN lowers blood pressure (BP), it does so to an extent at best corresponding to one antihypertensive drug. The procedure has an excellent safety record. However, it remains clinically impossible to predict whose BP responds to RDN and whose does not. Long-term efficacy data on BP reduction are still unconvincing despite the recent results in the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED trial; experimental studies indicate that reinnervation is occurring after RDN. Although BP is an acceptable surrogate endpoint, there is complete lack of outcome data with RDN. Clear indications for RDN are lacking although patients with resistant hypertension, those with documented increase in activity of the sympathetic system and perhaps those who desire to take fewest medication may be considered.

Comparing efficacy and safety in catheter ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation: a network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on the most efficient catheter ablation (CA) strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies for AF ablation through network meta-analysis (NMA).

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL was performed up to October 5th, 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing different CA approaches were included. Efficacy was defined as arrhythmia recurrence after CA and safety as any reported complication related to the procedure during a minimum follow-up time of 6 months.

RESULTS

In total, 67 RCTs (n = 9871) comparing 19 different CA strategies were included. The risk of recurrence was significantly decreased compared to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone for PVI with renal denervation (RR: 0.60, CI: 0.38-0.94), PVI with ganglia-plexi ablation (RR: 0.62, CI: 0.41-0.94), PVI with additional ablation lines (RR: 0.8, CI: 0.68-0.95) and PVI in combination with bi-atrial modification (RR: 0.32, CI: 0.11-0.88). Strategies including PVI appeared superior to non-PVI strategies such as electrogram-based approaches. No significant differences in safety were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This NMA showed that PVI in combination with additional CA strategies, such as autonomic modulation and additional lines, seem to increase the efficacy of PVI alone. These strategies can be considered in treating patients with AF, since, additionally, no differences in safety were observed. This study provides decision-makers with comprehensive and comparative evidence about the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registry number: CRD42020169494 .

Comparing Efficacy and Safety in Catheter Ablation Strategies for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Although catheter ablation (CA) is an established treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), there is no consensus regarding the most efficient CA strategy. The objective of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies for PAF. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL until the final search date, 5 October 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCT) comparing different CA strategies and methods for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were included. Efficacy was defined as lack of arrhythmia recurrence after CA and safety as any reported complication related to the procedure during a minimum follow-up time of six months. In total, 43 RCTs comparing 11 different CA strategies involving 6701 patients were included. The risk of recurrence was significantly decreased in comparison with PVI with radiofrequency only for the following treatments: PVI with adjuvant ablation (RR: 0.79, CI: 0.65–0.97) and PVI with sympathetic modulation (RR: 0.64, CI: 0.46–0.88). However, PVI with radiofrequency was superior to non-PVI strategies (RR: 1.65, CI: 1.2–2.26). No statistically significant difference was found in safety between different CA strategies. Concerning different PVI strategies, no difference was observed either in efficacy or in safety between tested strategies. This NMA suggests that different PVI strategies are generally similar in terms of efficacy, while PVI with additional ablation or sympathetic modulation may be more effective than PVI alone. This study provides decision-makers with insights into the efficacy and safety of different CA strategies.

Renal denervation for atrial fibrillation: a comprehensive updated systematic review and meta-analysis

The study aims to compare clinical outcomes following renal denervation (RDN) in hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Three online databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed) for literature related to outcomes of RDN on hypertension and AF, between January 1, 2010, and June 1, 2021. Where possible, risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) were combined using a random effects model. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Seven trials were included that assessed the effect of adding RDN to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with hypertension and AF. A total of 711 patients (329 undergoing PVI + RDN and 382 undergoing PVI alone), with an age range of 56 ± 6 to 68 ± 9 years, were included. Pooled analysis showed a significant lowering of AF recurrence in the PVI + RDN (31.3%) group compared to the PVI-only (52.9%) group (p < 0.00001). Pooled analysis of patients with resistant hypertension showed a significant mean reduction of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-9.42 mm Hg, p = 0.05), but not diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (-4.11 mm Hg, p = 0.16) in favor of PVI + RDN. Additionally, the pooled analysis showed that PVI + RDN significantly improved estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (+10.2 mL/min per 1.73 m², p < 0.001) compared to PVI alone. RDN procedures in these trials have proven to be both safe and efficacious with an overall complication rate of 6.32%. Combined PVI and RDN is beneficial for patients with hypertension and AF. Combined therapy showed improvement in SBP and eGFR, reducing the risk of AF recurrence. RDN may serve as an innovative intervention in the treatment of AF.

Systematic review of renal denervation for the management of cardiac arrhythmias

Background

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial and data from subsequent trials, this review aims to perform an updated and more comprehensive review of the impact of renal sympathetic denervation on cardiac arrhythmias.

Methods and results

A systematic search was performed using the Medline, Scopus and Embase databases using the terms “Renal Denervation” AND “Arrhythmias or Atrial or Ventricular”, limited to Human and English language studies within the last 10 years. This search yielded 19 relevant studies (n = 6 randomised controlled trials, n = 13 non-randomised cohort studies) which comprised 783 patients. The studies show RSD is a safe procedure, not associated with increases in complications or mortality post-procedure. Importantly, there is no evidence RSD is associated with a deterioration in renal function, even in patients with chronic kidney disease. RSD with or without adjunctive pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is associated with improvements in freedom from atrial fibrillation (AF), premature atrial complexes (PACs), ventricular arrhythmias and other echocardiographic parameters. Significant reductions in ambulatory and office blood pressure were also observed in the majority of studies.

Conclusion

This review provides evidence based on original research that ‘second generation’ RSD is safe and is associated with reductions in short-term blood pressure and AF burden. However, the authors cannot draw firm conclusions with regards to less prominent arrhythmia subtypes due to the paucity of evidence available. Large multi-centre RCTs investigating the role of RSD are necessary to comprehensively assess the efficacy of the procedure treating various arrhythmias.

Graphic abstract

Renal arteries denervation: from the treatment of resistant hypertension to the treatment of atrial fibrillation

Renal denervation (RDN) is a therapeutic strategy for patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension characterized by considerable fluctuations during its progression. After initial strong enthusiasm, the procedure came to an abrupt halt following the publication of the Symplicity HTN-3 study results. The results of recently published studies highlight the reduction in blood pressure values after RDN and justify the inclusion in the Guidelines of new recommendations for the use of RDN in clinical practice, in selected patients. Additionally, RDN findings are summarized in view of other potential indications such as atrial fibrillation. Six prospective, randomized studies are presented that evaluated RDN as an adjunct therapy to pulmonary vein isolation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In five studies, patients had uncontrolled hypertension despite therapy with three antihypertensive drugs. The analysis of these studies showed that RDN reduced the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) by 57% compared to patients with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) only. Modulation of the autonomic nervous system by RDN has been shown not only to reduce blood pressure but also to have an antiarrhythmic effect in symptomatic AF patients when the strategy is combined with PVI, thus opening up new therapeutic scenarios.

Neuroscientific therapies for atrial fibrillation

The cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an integral role in normal cardiac physiology as well as in disease states that cause cardiac arrhythmias. The cardiac ANS, comprised of a complex neural hierarchy in a nested series of interacting feedback loops, regulates atrial electrophysiology and is itself susceptible to remodelling by atrial rhythm. In light of the challenges of treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with conventional pharmacologic and myoablative techniques, increasingly interest has begun to focus on targeting the cardiac neuraxis for AF. Strong evidence from animal models and clinical patients demonstrates that parasympathetic and sympathetic activity within this neuraxis may trigger AF, and the ANS may either induce atrial remodelling or undergo remodelling itself to serve as a substrate for AF. Multiple nexus points within the cardiac neuraxis are therapeutic targets, and neuroablative and neuromodulatory therapies for AF include ganglionated plexus ablation, epicardial botulinum toxin injection, vagal nerve (tragus) stimulation, renal denervation, stellate ganglion block/resection, baroreceptor activation therapy, and spinal cord stimulation. Pre-clinical and clinical studies on these modalities have had promising results and are reviewed here.

Renal Sympathetic Denervation as Upstream Therapy During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Pilot HFIB Studies and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to determine the impact of adjunctive renal sympathetic denervation to catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and history of hypertension.

BACKGROUND

There are limited data regarding the impact of upstream adjunctive renal sympathetic denervation (RSDN) to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypertension.

METHODS

The data for this study were obtained from 2 prospective randomized pilot studies, the HFIB (Adjunctive Renal Denervation to Modify Hypertension and Sympathetic tone as Upstream Therapy in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation)-1 (n = 30) and HFIB (Adjunctive Renal Denervation to Modify Hypertension and Sympathetic tone as Upstream Therapy in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation)-2 (n = 50) studies, and we performed a meta-analysis including all published studies comparing RSDN+PVI versus PVI alone up to January 25, 2020, in patients with AF and hypertension.

RESULTS

At 24 months, AF recurrence occurred in 53% and 38% in the PVI and PVI+RSDN groups (p = 0.43) in the HFIB-1 study, respectively, and 27% and 25% in the PVI and PVI+RSDN groups (p = 0.80) in the HFIB-2 study, respectively. When combined in a meta-analysis including 6 studies (n = 725), adjunctive RSDN significantly decreased the risk of AF recurrence (risk ratio [RR]: 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.55 to 0.83; p = 0.0002; I² = 0%) when compared with PVI. Six renal artery complications occurred in the HFIB-1 study and none occurred in the HFIB-2 study with RSDN. However, in the meta-analysis, there were no significant differences in overall complications between both groups (RR: 1.43; 95% CI: 0.63 to 3.22; p = 0.40; I² = 7%). When compared with baseline, RDSN significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure (-12.1 mm Hg; 95% CI: -20.9 to -3.3 mm Hg; p < 0.007; I² = 99%) and diastolic blood pressure (-5.60 mm Hg; 95% CI: -10.05 to -1.10 mm Hg; p = 0.01; I² = 98%) on follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The pilot HFIB-1 and HFIB-2 studies did not demonstrate a benefit with RSDN as an adjunctive upstream therapy during PVI. However, in the meta-analysis, adjunctive RSDN to PVI appears to be safe, and improves clinical outcomes in AF patients with a history of hypertension.

Renal denervation: can we press the "ON" button again in 2020?

In December 2018, an article summarizing available results of randomized studies on renal denervation (RDN), entitled "Renal denervation: can we press the ON button again?" was published in the Advances in Interventional Cardiology. Since then, several positive reports, including SPYRAL HTN OFF-MED Pivotal trial have been presented. In the current review the authors discuss the latest data on RDN in arterial hypertension treatment and try to answer the burning question: can we press the ON button again in 2020? The results of recently published studies potentially justify new recommendations for the use of RDN in clinical practice in appropriately selected patients in the new hypertension guidelines. The current review also summarizes the results of trials on RDN applied in another potential indication - atrial fibrillation. Six most important, prospective, randomized trials assessing RDN as adjunct therapy to pulmonary vein isolation for treatment of atrial fibrillation were discussed. In 5 studies, patients had uncontrolled BP despite treatment with three antihypertensive agents. The ratio for recurrence of atrial fibrillation for pulmonary vein isolation with RDN procedure was reduced by 57% as compared to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone. BP was also reduced significantly after RDN in this subset of patients. Further multicenter studies involving standardized PVI and RDN procedures are needed.

Effect of combined renal denervation and pulmonary vein isolation in atrial fibrillation recurrence in hypertensive patients: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension is the most common risk factor associated with AF. The addition of renal sympathetic nerve denervation (RSDN) to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in AF patients with hypertension has been reported to improve clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed for studies on patients with AF and hypertension that compared RSDN with PVI versus PVI-alone. Risk ratio (RR) for categorical variables and mean difference (MD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals were used.

RESULTS

Seven studies with a total of 734 patients were included. A total of 340 patients were in the RSDN + PVI group (46.32%) and 394 (53.67%) in the PVI group. A total of 608 patients had paroxysmal AF (83%) while 126 patients had persistent AF (17%). At 12 months follow-up, RSDN + PVI decreased the overall risk of AF recurrence in hypertensive patients with RR 0.60 [95% CI 0.50-0.72, P < .00001]. A subgroup analysis performed in patients with drug-resistant hypertension showed a similar reduction in AF recurrence with RR 0.61 [95% CI: 0.47-0.79, P = .0002). Procedure duration MD + 28.05 min [95% CI: 18.88-37.23, P < .00001] and fluoroscopy duration MD + 5.59 min [95% CI: 3.31-8.19, P < .00001] were significantly longer with the RSDN + PVI group. There was no significant difference in complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The addition of RSDN to PVI in patients with AF and hypertension appears safe and decreases AF recurrence. Similar results were observed in patients with drug-resistant hypertension. Larger trials are needed to confirm these results.

Efficacy and safety of renal denervation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation and hypertension-Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the latest evidence on the use of renal denervation (RDN) + pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) compared to PVI alone for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with hypertension.

Methods

A systematic literature search from several electronic databases was performed up until January 2020. The primary outcome was AF recurrence defined as AF/atrial flutter (AFL)/atrial tachycardia (AT) ≥30 seconds at 12‐month follow‐up and the secondary outcome was procedure‐related complications.

Results

There were 568 subjects from five studies. AF recurrence was 90/280 (32.1%) in the RDN + PVI group and 142/274 (51.8%) in the PVI group. RDN + PVI was associated with a lower incidence of AF recurrence (RR 0.62 [0.51, 076], P < .001; I²: 0%). Pooled analysis of HR showed that RDN + PVI was associated with reduced AF recurrence (HR 0.51 [0.38, 0.70], P < .001; I²: 0%). Complications were 7/241 (2.9%) in the RDN + PVI group and 8/237 (3.4%) in the PVI group. The rate of complications between the groups was similar (RR 0.87 [0.33, 2.29], P = .77; I²: 0%). In the subgroup analysis of paroxysmal AF, RDN + PVI was shown to reduce AF recurrence (RR 0.64 [0.49, 0.82], P < .001; I²: 0% and HR 0.56 [0.38, 0.82], P = .003; I²: 0%) compared to PVI alone. RDN + PVI has a moderate certainty of evidence in the reducing AF recurrence with an absolute reduction of 197 fewer per 1000 (from 254 fewer to 124 fewer).

Conclusion

RDN in addition to PVI, is associated with reduced 12‐month AF recurrence and similar procedure‐related complications compared to PVI alone.

Effect of Catheter-Based Renal Denervation on Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension by conducting a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

METHODS

The Medline, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were searched for clinical studies between January 1, 2009, and July 16, 2018. Studies that evaluated the effect of RDN on uncontrolled hypertension were identified. The primary endpoints were changes in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (BP) and office systolic BP. The secondary endpoints included changes in 24-hour ambulatory diastolic BP, office diastolic BP, and major adverse events.

RESULTS

After a literature search and detailed evaluation, 12 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1539 individuals were included in the quantitative analysis. Pooled analyses indicated that RDN was associated with a significantly greater reduction of 24-hour systolic BP (mean difference [MD], -4.02 mm Hg; 95% CI, -5.49 to -2.56; P<.001) and office systolic BP (MD, -8.93 mm Hg; 95% CI, -14.03 to -3.83; P<.001) than controls. Similarly, RDN significantly reduced 24-hour diastolic BP (MD, -2.05 mm Hg; 95% CI, -3.05 to -1.05; P<.001) and office diastolic BP (MD, -4.49 mm Hg; 95% CI, -6.46 to -2.52; P<.001). RDN was not associated with an increased risk of major adverse events (relative risk, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.57; P=.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Catheter-based RDN was associated with a significant BP-lowering benefit without increasing major adverse events.

Neuromodulation for the Treatment of Heart Rhythm Disorders

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Derangement of autonomic nervous signaling is an important contributor to cardiac arrhythmogenesis.

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Modulation of autonomic nervous signaling holds significant promise for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

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Further clinical investigation is necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of autonomic modulatory therapies in reducing cardiac arrhythmias.

There is an increasing recognition of the importance of interactions between the heart and the autonomic nervous system in the pathophysiology of arrhythmias. These interactions play a role in both the initiation and maintenance of arrhythmias and are important in both atrial and ventricular arrhythmia. Given the importance of the autonomic nervous system in the pathophysiology of arrhythmias, there has been notable effort in the field to improve existing therapies and pioneer additional interventions directed at cardiac-autonomic targets. The interventions are targeted to multiple and different anatomic targets across the neurocardiac axis. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the rationale for neuromodulation in the treatment of arrhythmias and to review the specific treatments under evaluation and development for the treatment of both atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.

Synergy of pulmonary vein isolation and catheter renal denervation in atrial fibrillation complicated with uncontrolled hypertension: Mapping the renal sympathetic nerve and pulmonary vein (the pulmonary vein isolation plus renal denervation strategy)?

INTRODUCTION

Disturbance of sympathetic and vagal nervous system participates in the pathogenesis of hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF). Renal denervation (RDN) can modulate autonomic nervous activity and reduce blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of RDN combined with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in patients with AF and hypertension.

METHODS

Clinical trials including randomized data comparing PVI plus RDN vs PVI alone were enrolled. Primary outcome was incidence of AF recurrence after procedure.

RESULTS

A total of 387 patients, of them 252 were randomized and were enrolled. Mean age was 57 ± 10 years, 71% were male, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 57.4% ± 6.9%. Follow-up for randomized data was 12 months. Overall comparison for primary outcome showed that PVI + RDN was associated with significantly lower AF recurrence as compared with PVI alone (35.8% vs 55.4%, P < 0.0001). This advantageous effect was consistently maintained among randomized patients (37.3% vs 61.9%, odds ratio = 0.37, P = 0.0001), and among patients with implanted devices for detection of AF recurrence (38.9% vs 61.6%, P = 0.007). Post-hoc sensitivity and regression analysis demonstrated very good stability of this primary result. Pooled Kaplan-Meier analysis further showed that PVI + RDN was associated with significantly higher freedom from AF recurrence as compared with PVI alone (log-rank test, P = 0.001). Besides, RDN resulted in significant BP reduction without additionally increasing the risk of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

RDN may provide synergetic effects with PVI to reduce the burden of AF and improve BP control in patients with AF and uncontrolled hypertension.