Cardiovascular Risk Reduction After Renal Denervation According to Time in Therapeutic Systolic Blood Pressure Range

Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (GISE) and Italian Society of Arterial Hypertension (SIIA) Position Paper on the role of renal denervation in the management of the difficult-to-treat hypertension

Renal denervation (RDN) is a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of difficult to treat hypertension. The blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy of RDN is comparable to those of many single antihypertensive medications and it allows to consider the RDN as a valuable option for the treatment of difficult to treat hypertension together with lifestyle modifications and medical therapy. A multidisciplinary team is of pivotal importance from the selection of the patient candidate for the procedure to the post-procedural management. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of RDN on clinical outcomes and to better identify the predictors of BP response to RDN in order to recognize the patients who are more likely to benefit from the procedure.

Consensus Statement on Renal Denervation by the Joint Committee of Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH), Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT), and the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS)

This is the first consensus statement of the Joint Committee on Renal Denervation of the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH)/Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT)/Japanese Circulation Society (JCS). The consensus is that the indication for renal denervation (RDN) is resistant hypertension or "conditioned" uncontrolled hypertension, with high office and out-of-office blood pressure (BP) readings despite appropriate lifestyle modification and antihypertensive drug therapy. "Conditioned" uncontrolled hypertension is defined as having one of the following: 1) inability to up-titrate antihypertensive medication due to side effects, the presence of complications, or reduced quality of life. This includes patients who are intolerant of antihypertensive drugs; or 2) comorbidity at high cardiovascular risk due to increased sympathetic nerve activity, such as orthostatic hypertension, morning hypertension, nocturnal hypertension, or sleep apnea (unable to use continuous positive airway pressure), atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrythmia, or heart failure. RDN should be performed by the multidisciplinary Hypertension Renal Denervation Treatment (HRT) team, led by specialists in hypertension, cardiovascular intervention and cardiology, in specialized centers validated by JSH, CVIT, and JCS. The HRT team reviews lifestyle modifications and medication, and the patient profile, then determines the presence of an indication of RDN based on shared decision making with each patient. Once approval for real-world clinical use in Japan, however, the joint RDN committee will update the indication and treatment implementation guidance as appropriate (annually if necessary) based on future real-world evidence.

Consensus statement on renal denervation by the Joint Committee of Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH), Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT), and the Japanese Circulation Society (JCS)

This is the first consensus statement of the Joint Committee on Renal Denervation of the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH)/Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT)/Japanese Circulation Society (JCS). The consensus is that the indication for renal denervation (RDN) is resistant hypertension or "conditioned" uncontrolled hypertension, with high office and out-of-office blood pressure (BP) readings despite appropriate lifestyle modification and antihypertensive drug therapy. "Conditioned" uncontrolled hypertension is defined as having one of the following: (1) inability to up-titrate antihypertensive medication due to side effects, the presence of complications, or reduced quality of life. This includes patients who are intolerant of antihypertensive drugs; or (2) comorbidity at high cardiovascular risk due to increased sympathetic nerve activity, such as orthostatic hypertension, morning hypertension, nocturnal hypertension, or sleep apnea (unable to use continuous positive airway pressure), atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrythmia, or heart failure. RDN should be performed by the multidisciplinary Hypertension Renal Denervation Treatment (HRT) team, led by specialists in hypertension, cardiovascular intervention and cardiology, in specialized centers validated by JSH, CVIT, and JCS. The HRT team reviews lifestyle modifications and medication, and the patient profile, then determines the presence of an indication of RDN based on shared decision making with each patient. Once approval for real-world clinical use in Japan, however, the joint RDN committee will update the indication and treatment implementation guidance as appropriate (annually if necessary) based on future real-world evidence.

Blood pressure time at target and its prognostic value for cardiovascular outcomes: a scoping review

The proportion of time that blood pressure (BP) readings are at treatment target levels, commonly referred to as time at target or time in therapeutic range (BP-TTR), is emerging as a useful measure for evaluating hypertension management effectiveness and assessing longitudinal BP control. However, method of determination for BP-TTR differs across studies. This review identifies variations in BP-TTR determination methodologies and its potential prognostic value for cardiovascular outcomes. Following PRISMA extension for scoping reviews guidelines, literature was systematically searched in Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Relevant clinical trials, observational studies, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and systematic reviews published in English were screened. Of 369 articles identified, 17 articles were included. Studies differed in the BP targets used (e.g., BP < 140/90 mmHg or 130/80 mmHg; systolic BP within 110-130 mmHg or 120-140 mmHg), BP-TTR measurement duration (range 24 h to 15 years), and calculation method (linear interpolation method, n = 12 [71%]; proportion of BP readings at target, n = 5 [29%]). Regardless of method, studies consistently demonstrated that higher BP-TTR was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular outcomes. Six of eight studies found the association was independent of mean achieved BP or last measured BP. Despite variation in methods of BP-TTR determination, these studies demonstrated the potential prognostic value of BP-TTR for cardiovascular outcomes beyond current BP control measures. We recommend standardization of BP-TTR methodology, with preference for linear interpolation method when BP measurements are few or less frequent, and proportion of BP readings method when large number of BP readings are available.

Long-Term Blood Pressure Reductions Following Catheter-Based Renal Denervation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Renal denervation is a recognized adjunct therapy for hypertension with clinically significant blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects. Long-term follow-up data are critical to ascertain durability of the effect and safety. Aside from the 36-month follow-up data available from randomized control trials, recent cohort analyses extended follow-up out to 10 years. We sought to analyze study-level data and quantify the ambulatory BP reduction of renal denervation across contemporary randomized sham-controlled trials and available long-term follow-up data up to 10 years from observational studies.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed with data from 4 observational studies with follow-up out to 10 years and 2 randomized controlled trials meeting search and inclusion criteria with follow-up data out to 36 months. Study-level data were extracted and compared statistically.

RESULTS

In 2 contemporary randomized controlled trials with 36-month follow-up, an average sham-adjusted ambulatory systolic BP reduction of -12.7±4.5 mm Hg from baseline was observed (P=0.05). Likewise, a -14.8±3.4 mm Hg ambulatory systolic BP reduction was found across observational studies with a mean long-term follow-up of 7.7±2.8 years (range, 3.5-9.4 years; P=0.0051). The observed reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate across the long-term follow-up was in line with the predicted age-related decline. Antihypertensive drug burden was similar at baseline and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Renal denervation is associated with a significant and clinically meaningful reduction in ambulatory systolic BP in both contemporary randomized sham-controlled trials up to 36 months and observational cohort studies up to 10 years without adverse consequences on renal function.

A European Renal Association (ERA) synopsis for nephrology practice of the 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension

In June 2023, the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) presented and published the new 2023 ESH Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension, a document that was endorsed by the European Renal Association (ERA). Following the evolution of evidence in recent years, several novel recommendations relevant to the management of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) appeared in these Guidelines. These include recommendations for target office blood pressure (BP) <130/80 mmHg in most and against target office BP <120/70 mmHg in all patients with CKD; recommendations for use of spironolactone or chlorthalidone for patients with resistant hypertension with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) higher or lower than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for patients with CKD and estimated eGFR ≥20 mL/min/1.73 m2; use of finerenone for patients with CKD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, albuminuria, eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2 and serum potassium <5.0 mmol/L; and revascularization in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease and secondary hypertension or high-risk phenotypes if stenosis ≥70% is present. The present report is a synopsis of sections of the ESH Guidelines that are relevant to the daily clinical practice of nephrologists, prepared by experts from ESH and ERA. The sections summarized are those referring to the role of CKD in hypertension staging and cardiovascular risk stratification, the evaluation of hypertension-mediated kidney damage and the overall management of hypertension in patients with CKD.

Ten-year follow-up of very-high risk hypertensive patients undergoing renal sympathetic denervation

OBJECTIVES

Renal denervation (RDN) has been proven to be effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) in patients, but previous studies have had short follow-ups and have not examined the effects of RDN on major cardiovascular outcomes. This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of RDN in the long-term treatment of hypertension and to determine if it has an effect on cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

All patients with resistant hypertension who underwent RDN between 2011 and 2015 at Tianjin First Central Hospital were included in the study. Patients were followed up at 1,5 and 10 years and the longest follow-up was 12 years. Data were collected on office BP, home BP, ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), renal function, antihypertensive drug regimen, major adverse events (including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular death and all cause death) and safety events.

RESULTS

A total of 60 participants with mean age 50.37 ± 15.19 years (43.33% female individuals) completed long-term follow-up investigations with a mean of 10.02 ± 1.72 years post-RDN. Baseline office SBP and DBP were 179.08 ± 22.05 and 101.17 ± 16.57 mmHg under a mean number of 4.22 ± 1.09 defined daily doses (DDD), with a reduction of -35.93/-14.76 mmHg as compared with baseline estimates ( P  < 0.0001). Compared with baseline, ambulatory SBP and DBP after 10-years follow-up were reduced by 14.31 ± 10.18 ( P  < 0.001) and 9 ± 4.35 ( P  < 0.001) mmHg, respectively. In comparison to baseline, participants were taking fewer antihypertensive medications ( P  < 0.001), and their mean heart rate had decreased ( P  < 0.001). Changes in renal function, as assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and creatinine, were within the expected rate of age-related decline. No major adverse events related to the RDN procedure were observed in long-term consequences. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality rates were 10 and 8.34%, respectively, for the 10-year period.

CONCLUSION

The BP-lowering effect of RDN was safely sustained for at least 10 years post-procedure. More importantly, to the best of my knowledge, this is the first study to explore cardiovascular and all-cause mortality at 10 years after RDN.

Resistant hypertension: Diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment practical approach

The term RH describes a subgroup of hypertensive patients whose BP is uncontrolled despite the use of at least three antihypertensive drugs in an appropriate combination at optimal or best tolerated doses. True RH is considered when appropriate lifestyle measures and treatment with optimal or best tolerated doses of three or more drugs (a thiazide/thiazide-like diuretic, plus renin-angiotensin system -RAS- blocker and a calcium channel blocker -CCB-) fail to lower office BP to <140/90 mmHg; besides the inadequate BP control should be confirmed by home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) or 24-hour ambulatory; and evidence of adherence to therapy and exclusion of secondary causes of hypertension are required. RH patients are at a high risk of cardiovascular events and death. RH is associated with a higher prevalence of end-organ damage. When stricter criteria are applied, a reasonable estimate of the prevalence of true RH is 5 % of the total hypertensive population. The predominant hemodynamic pattern appears to be increased systemic vascular resistance and plasma volume with normal or even low cardiac output. We must rule out pseudo-resistance before diagnosing true drug resistance. RH is a therapeutic challenge, and its management includes lifestyle interventions, avoiding nonadherence to treatment, avoiding inertia, appropriate use of antihypertensive drugs based on current evidence, especially long-acting diuretics, and the addition of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. RCTs to identify the most protective medical therapy in RH are needed. A series of drugs in different stages of investigation could significantly impact RH treatment in the future.

Renal denervation in the management of hypertension

Arterial hypertension is a global leading cause of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal disease, as well as mortality. Although pharmacotherapy is safe and effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease risk, BP control remains poor, and the mortality rates associated with high BP have been steadily increasing. Device-based therapies have been investigated to overcome barriers to pharmacotherapy, including non-adherence and low rates of persistence to daily medications. Among these device-based therapies, catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has been most extensively examined over the past 15 years. In this state-of-the-art article, we summarise the rationale for RDN, review the available evidence, provide recommendations for a safe procedure, and discuss the role of RDN in current guidelines and clinical practice.

Renal sympathetic denervation improves pressure-natriuresis relationship in cardiorenal syndrome: insight from studies with Ren-2 transgenic hypertensive rats with volume overload induced using aorto-caval fistula

The aim was to evaluate the effects of renal denervation (RDN) on autoregulation of renal hemodynamics and the pressure-natriuresis relationship in Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) with aorto-caval fistula (ACF)-induced heart failure (HF). RDN was performed one week after creation of ACF or sham-operation. Animals were prepared for evaluation of autoregulatory capacity of renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and of the pressure-natriuresis characteristics after stepwise changes in renal arterial pressure (RAP) induced by aortic clamping. Their basal values of blood pressure and renal function were significantly lower than with innervated sham-operated TGR (p < 0.05 in all cases): mean arterial pressure (MAP) (115 ± 2 vs. 160 ± 3 mmHg), RBF (6.91 ± 0.33 vs. 10.87 ± 0.38 ml.min-1.g-1), urine flow (UF) (11.3 ± 1.79 vs. 43.17 ± 3.24 µl.min-1.g-1) and absolute sodium excretion (UNaV) (1.08 ± 0.27 vs, 6.38 ± 0.76 µmol.min-1.g-1). After denervation ACF TGR showed improved autoregulation of RBF: at lowest RAP level (80 mmHg) the value was higher than in innervated ACF TGR (6.92 ± 0.26 vs. 4.54 ± 0.22 ml.min-1.g-1, p < 0.05). Also, the pressure-natriuresis relationship was markedly improved after RDN: at the RAP of 80 mmHg UF equaled 4.31 ± 0.99 vs. 0.26 ± 0.09 µl.min-1.g-1 recorded in innervated ACF TGR, UNaV was 0.31 ± 0.05 vs. 0.04 ± 0.01 µmol min-1.g-1 (p < 0.05 in all cases). In conclusion, in our model of hypertensive rat with ACF-induced HF, RDN improved autoregulatory capacity of RBF and the pressure-natriuresis relationship when measured at the stage of HF decompensation.

Does renal denervation require cardiovascular outcome-driven data?

Hypertension is a major driver of cardiovascular disease with a prevalence of 32-34% in adults worldwide. This poses a formidable unmet challenge for healthcare systems, highlighting the need for enhanced treatment strategies. Since 2017, eight major sham-controlled randomised controlled trials have examined the effectiveness and safety of renal denervation (RDN) as therapy for BP control. Although most trials demonstrated a reduction in systolic 24-hour/daytime ambulatory BP compared to control groups, open to discussion is whether major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)-driven RDN trials are necessary or whether the proof of BP reduction as a surrogate for better cardiovascular outcomes is sufficient. We conducted an analysis of the statistical methods used in various trials to assess endpoint definitions and determine the necessity for MACE-driven outcome data. Such comprehensive analysis provides further evidence to confidently conclude that RDN significantly reduces blood pressure compared to sham controls. Importantly, this enables the interpolation of RDN trial endpoints with other studies that report on outcome data, such as pharmacological trials which demonstrate a significant reduction in MACE risk with a decrease in BP. Moreover, limitations associated with directly evaluating outcome data further support the use of BP as a surrogate endpoint. For example, conducting lengthier trials with larger numbers of participants to ensure robust statistical power presents a substantial challenge to evaluating outcome data. Thus, in light of the crucial need to tackle hypertension, there are notable advantages of considering BP as a surrogate for outcome data.

Ultra-long-term efficacy and safety of catheter-based renal denervation in resistant hypertension: 10-year follow-up outcomes

BACKGROUND

Randomized sham-controlled trials have confirmed the efficacy and safety of catheter-based renal denervation in hypertension. Data on the very long-term effects of renal denervation are scarce.

AIMS

This study evaluates the 10-year safety and efficacy of renal denervation in resistant hypertension.

METHODS

This prospective single-center study included patients with resistant hypertension undergoing radio-frequency renal denervation between 2010 and 2012. Office blood pressure, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, color duplex sonography, and renal function were assessed after 1-, 2- and 10-years.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine patients completed the 10-year follow-up (mean follow-up duration 9.4 ± 0.7 years). Baseline office and 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure were 164 ± 23 mmHg and 153 ± 16 mmHg, respectively. After 10 years, 24-h ambulatory and office systolic blood pressure were reduced by 16 ± 17 mmHg (P < 0.001) and 14 ± 23 mmHg (P = 0.001), respectively. The number of antihypertensive drugs remained unchanged from 4.9 ± 1.4 to 4.5 ± 1.2 drugs (P = 0.087). The estimated glomerular filtration rate declined within the expected range from 69 (95% CI 63 to 74) to 60 mL/min/1.73m2 (95% CI 53 to 68; P < 0.001) through 10-year follow-up. Three renal artery interventions were documented for progression of pre-existing renal artery stenosis in two patients and one patient with new-onset renal artery stenosis. No other adverse events were observed during the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Renal denervation was safe and sustainedly reduced ambulatory and office blood pressure out to 10 years in patients with resistant hypertension.

The feasibility, efficacy, and safety of RDN procedure using CO2 angiography through radial artery in severe chronic kidney disease patients

The recent evidence regarding the effectiveness of renal denervation (RDN) in blood pressure control is becoming increasingly substantial. However, many studies have excluded populations with severely impaired kidney function, even though these individuals have a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to the general population, and controlling their blood pressure is more challenging. The effectiveness and safety of RDN in patients with severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) lack strong evidence support. Concerns about worsening kidney function still exist, particularly in patients with CKD stage 5. We conducted an observational study involving 10 patients who were using at least 3 different antihypertensive medications and had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 but had not undergone dialysis. For these patients, we performed RDN via the radial artery approach, with the assistance of carbon dioxide (CO2) angiography. Utilizing this approach, the systolic 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring did not exhibit a significant decrease at 3 months; however, a significant reduction was observed at 6 months after RDN. We also minimized contrast agent usage, observed no kidney function decline 3 months post-RDN, and experienced no vascular-related complications. Using the radial artery approach and CO2 angiography assistance for RDN may be an effective and safe blood pressure control method for patients with severe kidney impairment.

Neuromodulation interventions in the management of heart failure

Despite remarkable improvements in the management of heart failure (HF), HF remains one of the most rapidly growing cardiovascular condition resulting in a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. In clinical practice, however, a relevant proportion of patients are treated with suboptimal combinations and doses lower than those recommended in the current guidelines. Against this background, it remains important to identify new targets and investigate additional therapeutic options to alleviate symptoms and potentially improve prognosis in HF. Therefore, non-pharmacological interventions targeting autonomic imbalance in HF have been evaluated. This paper aims to review the physiology, available clinical data, and potential therapeutic role of device-based neuromodulation in HF.

Management of Resistant Hypertension

Resistant hypertension (RH) is a severe form of hypertension associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Although true RH affects less than 10% of the patients receiving antihypertensive therapy, the absolute number is high and continues to increase. The workup of these patients requires screening for secondary hypertension and pseudoresistance, including poor adherence to prescribed medicines and the white-coat phenomenon. The treatment of RH consists of lifestyle modifications and pharmacological therapies. Lifestyle modifications include dietary adjustments, weight loss, physical activity, and limiting alcohol consumption; pharmacological therapies include diuretics, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, beta blockers, angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, and others. Over the last 15 years, interventional approaches have emerged as adjunct treatment options; we highlight catheter-based renal denervation. This review summarizes the rationales and latest clinical evidence and, based thereon, proposes an updated algorithm for the management of RH.

Photoplethysmography for Assessing Microcirculation in Hypertensive Patients After Taking Antihypertensive Drugs: A Review

High blood pressure (BP) is a common disease and is associated with many chronic diseases. Measuring BP is essential for the treatment and management of many diseases, and therefore there is a growing need for a non-invasive, sleeveless and continuous BP monitoring device. With the development of technology, pulse waveform analysis using photoplethysmography (PPG) has become more feasible for evaluating BP. This study aimed to evaluate the changes of vascular elasticity and blood volume over time by using the characteristic parameters extracted by PPG. We reviewed the latest progress and literature on the observation of capillary network characteristics in hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients by PPG, the influence of different drugs on microcirculation characteristics in hypertensive patients with PPG, and further explored the key relationship between microcirculation and hypertension. We found that the PPG waveform produced by the fingertips of hypertensive patients is very different from that of healthy people, and the PPG waveform changes significantly during diastolic period after antihypertensive treatment. With the rapid development of medical technology, people can get more intuitive microcirculation image data, which provides beneficial help for the comprehensive understanding of hypertension.

Home systolic blood pressure time in therapeutic range and cardiovascular risk: the practitioner-based nationwide J-HOP study extended

Time in therapeutic range (TTR) for office systolic blood pressure (SBP) is an independent predictor of major cardiovascular events. However, the clinical implications of TTR for home SBP have not yet been investigated. This study determined the association between TTR of home SBP and cardiovascular events in individuals with ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor who were enrolled in The Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure (J-HOP) study. The therapeutic range for home SBP was defined as home SBP of 100-135 mmHg during the 13-day baseline period of the J-HOP study. Participants were divided into subgroups based on quartiles of TTR for home SBP, and the risk of cardiovascular events was determined in each quartile. During a mean 6.3 years of follow-up in 4070 participants (mean age 65 years), cardiovascular events included stroke in 92, coronary artery disease in 119, heart failure in 41 and aortic dissection in 8. The adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for the risk of total cardiovascular events in participants with home SBP TTR in the lowest (100%) versus highest quartile (<15.3%) was 1.74 (1.16-2.61); the corresponding hazard ratio for stroke events was 2.11 (1.06-4.21). A 10% decrease in home SBP TTR was associated with a 4% increase in the risk of total cardiovascular events (p = 0.033) and a 9% increase in the risk of stroke (p = 0.004). The significant association seen between home SBP TTR and the occurrence of cardio- and cerebrovascular events highlights the importance of achieving stable reductions in home SBP and minimizing day-by-day home BP variability.Clinical Trial Registration: University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000000894 (J-HOP study).

Late outcomes of renal denervation are more favourable than early ones: facts or fancies?

Following second-generation randomized trials, there is evidence that renal denervation (RDN) decreases blood pressure (BP), although to a lesser extent than suggested in the initial controlled and observational studies. The recent publication of the 36-month follow-up of the Symplicity HTN-3 trial has raised expectations, suggesting increasing, late benefits of the procedure, despite initially negative results. These findings come after those obtained at 36 months in the sham-controlled trial SPYRAL HTN-ON MED and in the Global Symplicity Registry. However, they are susceptible to biases inherent in observational studies (after unblinding for sham-control) and non-random, substantial attrition of treatment groups at 36 months, and used interpolation of missing BPs. More importantly, in SPYRAL HTN-ON MED and Symplicity HTN-3, long-term BP changes in patients from the initial RDN group were compared with those in a heterogeneous control group, including both control patients who did not benefit from RDN and patients who eventually crossed over to RDN. In crossover patients, the last BP before RDN was imputed to subsequent follow-up. In Symplicity HTN-3, this particular approach led to the claim of increasing long-term benefits of RDN. However, comparison of BP changes in patients from the RDN group and control patients who did not undergo RDN, without imputation of BPs from crossover patients, does not support this view. The good news is that despite the suggestion of sympathetic nerve regrowth after RDN in some animal models, there is no strong signal in favour of a decreasing effect of RDN over time, up to 24 or even 36 months. Still, current data do not support a long-term increase in the effect of RDN and the durability of RDN-related BP reduction remains to be formally demonstrated.

Selected highlights in the updated treatment of hypertension

Hypertension remains the leading international risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature death but, despite effective treatments, hypertension remains significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated. In the present review paper, we provide a selected update on recent developments of interest in the management of hypertension. We focus on summarizing four topics that we believe are worth highlighting to a clinical audience: (1) the evidence and strong motivation for new lower systolic BP treatment targets; (2) new studies reporting on the efficacy of renal denervation in the management of hypertension; (3) interesting new data to inform the great salt debate; and (4), perhaps most importantly, pioneering new work highlighting the huge potential of multi-disciplinary care in the management of hypertension.

Update on advanced interventional neuromodulatory approaches to lower blood pressure

Herein, we review interventional peripheral neuromodulatory approaches to reduce blood pressure (BP), specifically focusing on catheter-based renal denervation (RDN), as well as the latest data from recent clinical trials underpinning its clinical use. Given the apparent failure of established lifestyle measures and pharmacologic BP-lowering approaches to improve hypertension (HTN) control rates, the past decade has seen remarkable scientific efforts to explore the utility of interventional strategies for BP management. Experimental studies and human clinical trials have demonstrated the crucial role of the sympathetic nervous system in the development and mainenance of HTN - consequently, most recent interventional technologies aimed primarily at modulating neural pathways. Advanced approaches that were rigorously tested in human studies include RDN, endovascular baroreflex amplification, baroreflex activation therapy and cardiac neuromodulation stimulation.Amongst these, RDN is by far the most established technology. With recent robust evidence from clinical trials and real-world data showing the safety and efficacy of both ultrasound and radiofrequency-based approaches, a recent clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Council on Hypertension and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions concludes that RDN represents an ancillary therapeutic option in patients with uncontrolled resistant HTN confirmed by ambulatory blood pressure measurement and in spite of attention to lifestyle changes and optimised pharmacological treatment. Furthermore, RDN could alos be considered for patienst unlikley to adhere to or tolerate long-term antihypertensive drug treatment. Very recent data indicate long-term safety and efficacy up to 10 years. Appropriate implementation of RDN into clinical practice is now warranted.For all other interventions additional data from adequately designed human studies are required to establish their safety and clinical utility for potential future use in routine practice.

Resistant Hypertension and Related Outcomes in a Cohort of Patients with Cardiorenal Multimorbidity Hospitalized in an Internal Medicine Ward

INTRODUCTION

Resistant hypertension (RH) is characterized by the failure to reach a goal blood pressure despite the administration of three medications at maximally tolerated doses, one of which being a diuretic. RH can be observed in a variety of clinical conditions, such as heart failure and reduced renal function and may confer high cardiovascular risk.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence of RH and its association with clinical outcomes; the primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and the composite outcome was all-cause of mortality and morbidity in a cohort of patients with cardiorenal multimorbidity hospitalized in an internal medicine ward.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive hypertensive patients with cardiorenal multimorbidity. The composite outcome incorporated all-cause of in-hospital mortality and occurrence of sepsis, pulmonary embolism, acute coronary syndrome, stroke and renal replacement therapy.

RESULTS

We collected data in 141 inpatients with a mean age of 77 years ± 10 (males 65.9 %), estimated glomerular filtration rate of 34 ± 18.6 ml/min with length of stay of 17 ± 12 days. The prevalence of RH was 52.4%. In-hospital mortality was observed in 24 patients (17%) and the composite outcome occurred in 87 patients (61.7%) and among these 74 (85.1%) were patients with RH. Free survival for composite outcome was significantly higher in patients without RH than patients with RH (log rank 7.52, p = 0.006). Resistant hypertension was a risk factor for composite outcome [HR 1.857(C.I. 1.170-2.946, p = 0.009)].

CONCLUSION

In patients with cardiorenal multimorbidity there is a high proportion of RH that represents a risk factor for composite outcome but not for in-hospital mortality.

Arterial Hypertension-clinical trials update 2023

Arterial hypertension is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and research in the field is highly dynamic. This summary reviews the most important clinical trials published in 2022 and early 2023. Findings on new pharmacological approaches to treat resistant hypertension are presented and new knowledge about the optimal timing of the antihypertensive medication intake is discussed. It is focused on optimal blood pressure treatment targets and the problem of treatment and guideline inertia is acknowledged. Information about pregnancy-related hypertension is presented and blood pressure control following percutaneous thrombectomy after ischemic stroke is discussed. Finally, novel clinical data on device-based approaches to treat hypertension are summarized. The hypertension trials update summarizes the most important clincal trials on hypertension research in 2022 and early 2023. CTD - chlorthalidone, CV - cardiovascular, HCT - hydrochlorothiazide, SBP - systolic blood pressure, RDN - renal denervation *depicts systolic blood pressure only.

Radio frequency-based renal denervation: a story of simplicity?

Radio frequency-based renal denervation is a safe and effective way of lowering blood pressure, a common condition associated with high cardiovascular risk. Several catheters have been developed to administer energy to the renal arteries and their side branches, thereby modulating sympathetic renal activity. The Symplicity Flex™ and Symplicity Spyral™ are first- and second-generation devices, respectively, for radio frequency-based renal denervation. There is a continuous need to further improve and adjust interventional antihypertensive therapies. Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted to investigate the safety and efficacy of these catheters and most were able to show radio frequency-based renal denervation to be feasible, safe and effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients with and without concomitant antihypertensive medication. Herein, the authors discuss the pathophysiologic concepts of renal denervation and its procedural approaches, report catheter designs, summarize clinical trials outcomes and, finally, discuss real-world evidence.

Safety and efficacy of renal sympathetic denervation: a 9-year long-term follow-up of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements

Background

Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been shown to lower arterial blood pressure both in the presence and in the absence of antihypertensive medication in an observation period of up to 3 years. However, long-term results beyond 3 years are scarcely reported.

Methods

We performed a long-term follow-up on patients who were previously enrolled in a local renal denervation registry and who underwent radiofrequency RDN with the Symplicity Flex® renal denervation system between 2011 and 2014. The patients were assessed to evaluate their renal function by performing 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM), recording their medical history, and conducting laboratory tests.

Results

Ambulatory blood pressure readings for 24 h were available for 72 patients at long-term follow-up (FU) [9.3 years (IQR: 8.5-10.1)]. We found a significant reduction of ABP from 150.1/86.1 ± 16.9/12.0 mmHg at baseline to 138.3/77.1 ± 16.5/11.1 mmHg at long-term FU (P < 0.001 for both systolic and diastolic ABP). The number of antihypertensive medications used by the patients significantly decreased from 5.4 ± 1.5 at baseline to 4.8 ± 1.6 at long-term FU (P < 0.01). Renal function showed a significant but expected age-associated decrease in the eGFR from 87.8 (IQR: 81.0-100.0) to 72.5 (IQR: 55.8-86.8) ml/min/1.73 m² (P < 0.01) in patients with an initial eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73 m², while a non-significant decrease was observed in patients with an initial eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² at long-term FU [56.0 (IQR: 40.9-58.4) vs. 39.0 (IQR: 13.5-56.3) ml/min/1.73 m²].

Conclusions

RDN was accompanied by a long-lasting reduction in blood pressure with a concomitant reduction in antihypertensive medication. No negative effects could be detected, especially with regard to renal function.

Advances in Renal Denervation in the Treatment of Hypertension

Hypertension significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events and it is associated with high rates of disability and mortality. Hypertension is a common cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, which severely affect patients’ quality of life and lifespan. Current treatment strategies for hypertension are based primarily on medication and lifestyle interventions. The renal sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, and catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has provided a new concept for the treatment of hypertension. In recent years, studies on RDN have been performed worldwide. This article reviews the latest preclinical research and clinical evidence for RDN.

Editor-in-Chief's Top Picks From 2022

Each week, I record audio summaries for every paper in JACC, as well as an issue summary. This process has become a true labor of love due to the time they require, but I am motivated by the sheer number of listeners (16 million plus), and it has allowed me to familiarize myself with every paper that we publish. Thus, I have selected the top 100 papers (both Original Investigations and Review Articles) from distinct specialties each year. In addition to my personal choices, I have included papers that have been the most accessed or downloaded on our websites, as well as those selected by the JACC Editorial Board members. In order to present the full breadth of this important research in a consumable fashion, we will present these abstracts in this issue of JACC, as well as their Central Illustrations and podcasts. The highlights comprise the following sections: Basic & Translational Research, Cardiac Failure & Myocarditis, Cardiomyopathies & Genetics, Cardio-Oncology, Congenital Heart Disease, Coronary Disease & Interventions, Coronavirus, Hypertension, Imaging, Metabolic & Lipid Disorders, Neurovascular Disease & Dementia, Promoting Health & Prevention, Rhythm Disorders & Thromboembolism, and Valvular Heart Disease.^1-100.