Effects of renal denervation with a standard irrigated cardiac ablation catheter on blood pressure and renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease and resistant hypertension

Aims Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of renal denervation with a standard irrigated cardiac ablation catheter (SICAC) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with refractory hypertension. Methods and results Twenty-four patients were included and treated with a SICAC. Denervation was performed by a single operator following the standard technique. Patients included with CKD were on stages 2 (n = 16), 3 (n = 4), and 4 (n = 4). Data were obtained at baseline and monthly until 180th day of follow-up. Baseline values of blood pressure (mean +/- SD) were 186 +/- 19 mmHg/108 +/- 13 mmHg in the office, and 151 +/- 18 mmHg/92 +/- 11 mmHg by 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Office blood pressure values at 180th day after the procedure were 135 +/- 13 mmHg/88 +/- 7 mmHg (P < 0.0001, for both comparisons). The mean ABPM decreased to 132 +/- 15 mmHg/85 +/- 11 mmHg at the 180th day after the procedure (P < 0.0001 for systolic and P = 0.0015 for diastolic). Estimated glomerular filtration (mean +/- SD) increased from baseline (64.4 +/- 23.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) to the 180th day (85.4 +/- 34.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2), P < 0.0001) of follow-up. The median urine albumin: creatinine ratio decreased from baseline (48.5, IQR: 35.8-157.2 mg/g) to the 180th day after ablation (ACR = 15.7, IQR: 10.3-34.2 mg/g, P = 0.0017). No major complications were seen. Conclusion The procedure using SICAC seemed to be feasible, effective, and safe resulting in a better control of BP, a short-term increase in estimated glomerular filtration rate, and reduced albuminuria. Although encouraging, our data are preliminary and need to be validated in the long term.