Long-term antihypertensive effect of renal denervation in resistant hypertension: three years follow-up

Abstract Background Recent studies have shown proven efficacy of renal denervation in arterial hypertension, but there is a continuing need to assess the duration of antihypertensive effect. Purpose Evaluation of the long-term antihypertensive effect of renal denervation in patients with resistant hypertension. Methods 125 apparently resistant patients without comorbidities after a 3-week standardized treatment with Losartan 100 mg, Amlodipin 10 mg and Indapamid 1.5 mg and confirmation of their resistance were randomly assigned into three groups depending on treatment supplemented to previously administered: group I - selective I1-imidazoline agonist Moxonidine, group II - cardioselective beta-blocker Bisoprolol and group III – renal artery denervation. The compliance to treatment was confirmed using 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Renal denervation was performed in the main renal arteries and their branches. Patients were assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at baseline, 3, 12, 24 and 36 months follow-up. Results The mean 24 hour systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline were 179.0±2.02 mmHg in group I versus 177.96±2.44 mmHg in group II and 176.92±1.97 mmHg in group III, p>0.05. A statistically significant reduction in SBP m/24 h was noted in all three groups starting at 3 months, the group of patients undergoing renal denervation showing superiority over both groups of pharmacological treatment: −6.48±0.81 mmHg in group I versus −6.2±0.88 mmHg in group II and −23.28±1.9 mmHg in group III, p<0.001. The progressive improvement continued until the end of the study, so at 3 years of evaluation in observational group supplemented with Moxonidine SBP m/24 h were 146.36±1.36 mmHg with a total reduction of −32.64±1.56 mmHg from baseline, in Bisoprolol group −152.88±1.56 mmHg with a reduction of −25.08±1.65 mmHg and 133.16±0.73 mmHg in renal denervation group with a total reduction of −282±1.30 mmHg in group III, p<0.001. The mean 24 hour diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increased at baseline in all three observational groups (105.52±1.28 mmHg in group I versus 108.6±1.6 mmHg in group II and 107.24±0.92 mmHg in group III, p>0.05) similar with SBP m/24 h noted an authentic reduction at 3 months follow-up. The maximum reduction in DBP m/24 h were registered at 3 years of evaluation, a comparative analyses of dynamics between groups showing a presence of statistical difference due to superiority of renal denervation in amelioration of this parameter: −18.36±1.88 mmHg in group I versus −16.84±1.76 mmHg in group II and −28.2±1.30 mmHg in group III, p<0.001. Conclusions All three regimens have been shown to be effective in reducing SBP and DBP m/24 h in patients with resistant hypertension, with a superior but comparable effect of Moxonidine to Bisoprolol and the absolute superiority of renal denervation treatment, the beneficial effect being maintained for a period of 3 years. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Agency for Research and Development