A Minimally Invasive Solution When Medications Aren’t Enough
For millions of people living with high blood pressure, medications and lifestyle changes are usually enough to keep their condition under control. But for some, blood pressure remains dangerously high despite taking multiple drugs, a condition known as resistant hypertension.
Enter renal denervation: an innovative, minimally invasive procedure that targets the overactive nerves in the kidneys to help lower blood pressure in patients whose hypertension remains uncontrolled. This technique is gaining global recognition for offering safe and sustained relief to a challenging condition.
In this article, we explore how renal denervation works, who qualifies for the procedure, and why it’s transforming the management of resistant hypertension.
What Is Resistant Hypertension?
Resistant hypertension is defined as blood pressure that remains above target levels (≥140/90 mmHg) despite the use of three or more antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic.
People with this condition are at increased risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and other cardiovascular events not because they’re not trying, but because their body’s blood pressure control systems are out of balance.
One major contributor to this imbalance is the sympathetic nervous system specifically, the overactive nerves surrounding the kidneys.
What Is Renal Denervation?
Renal denervation (RDN) is a catheter-based procedure that uses radiofrequency energy, ultrasound, or chemical ablation to disrupt the overactive sympathetic nerves in the walls of the renal arteries. These nerves play a major role in regulating blood pressure.
By “silencing” these nerves, RDN helps to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduce sympathetic nervous system activity
- Improve cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk patients
The procedure is minimally invasive, performed via a small puncture in the groin, and usually takes about 30–60 minutes.
How Does It Work?
During renal denervation:
- A thin catheter is inserted through the femoral artery and guided to the renal arteries (the main vessels supplying the kidneys).
- Once in place, the device delivers energy (radiofrequency or ultrasound) to the arterial wall, selectively disrupting the surrounding nerves.
- The catheter is removed, and the puncture site is closed.
- The patient typically goes home within 24 hours.
Because the kidneys play a key role in blood pressure regulation, calming the nerve signals between the kidneys and brain can lead to lasting improvements in blood pressure control.
Who Is a Candidate for Renal Denervation?
Renal denervation is not for everyone. It is specifically designed for patients with resistant hypertension, including those who:
- Have blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg despite taking at least 3 different antihypertensive drugs
- Have no secondary causes of high blood pressure (e.g., hormone-secreting tumors)
- Have suitable renal artery anatomy for catheter access
- Are not candidates for or are intolerant of higher doses of medication
- Are at high cardiovascular risk and need additional blood pressure control
At Erdem Hospital, patients undergo comprehensive screening including blood tests, imaging, and blood pressure monitoring before being considered for RDN.
What Are the Benefits?
Recent clinical trials, including SYMPLICITY HTN-3, SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED, and RADIANCE-HTN, have shown that renal denervation can lead to:
- Sustained reductions in systolic blood pressure (up to 10–15 mmHg)
- Improved medication adherence (as fewer drugs may be needed)
- Lower risk of cardiovascular events
- Improved quality of life due to better blood pressure control
Patients often report feeling more energetic, less anxious, and more in control of their health after the procedure.
Is It Safe?
Yes. Renal denervation has proven to be safe and well-tolerated. Potential risks, though rare, may include:
- Bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site
- Vascular injury
- Temporary kidney function changes
At experienced centers like Erdem Hospital, the complication rate is extremely low, and patients are monitored carefully before and after the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is renal denervation a cure for hypertension?
No, but it offers long-term blood pressure reduction, especially for those who don’t respond well to medications.
2. Will I still need medication after the procedure?
Possibly. While some patients reduce or stop medications, many still need some level of drug therapy. The goal is better control with fewer side effects.
3. Does the procedure hurt?
It is typically painless. Patients receive mild sedation and local anesthesia. Most report only minor discomfort at the catheter site.
4. How soon will I see results?
Some people see improvements within weeks, while others may take 1–3 months to notice full benefits.
5. Is the effect permanent?
Early data suggest that the blood pressure-lowering effects of RDN can last for years, but long-term studies are still ongoing.
A New Era in Hypertension Management
For patients who feel like they’ve tried everything, renal denervation represents hope and innovation. It’s not about replacing medications but enhancing the body’s ability to regulate pressure more naturally.
At Erdem Hospital, our interventional cardiologists and hypertension specialists work together to deliver cutting-edge, personalized care for those who struggle with blood pressure control offering not just treatment, but lasting comfort and peace of mind.