Efficacy and safety of renal denervation in elderly patients with resistant hypertension.

Background: Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RD) causes significant blood pressure (BP) reductions in patients with resistant hypertension (rHTN). However, hypertensive elderly patients reportedly have a lower sympathetic tone than younger patients and a BP lowering effect of RD in this population has not yet been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of RD in elderly patients.

Methods: We reviewed all consecutive patients aged ≥ 75 years (mean: 78 years) with rHTN treated with RD. Twenty-four patients were included in this prospective study. Office and ambulatory BPs were assessed at baseline and 6-months follow-up. Primary endpoint was the change in office systolic BP at 6 months.

Results: Baseline mean office BP was 173/86 ± 21/13 mm Hg. Baseline 24-hr mean ambulatory BP, available in 22 patients, was 158/80 ± 20/13 mm Hg. Baseline creatinine was 1.0 ± 0.18 mg/dl and mean number of antihypertensive agents at baseline 4.3 ± 1.4. No device- or procedure-related adverse events occurred. At 6-months follow-up, the mean office BP decreased by 19/11 ± 29/16 mm Hg (P < 0.01 compared to baseline). Mean systolic 24 hr ambulatory BP, available in 17 patients, decreased by 9/5 ± 13/13 mm Hg. Antihypertensive medications could be reduced in nine patients. Furthermore, renal function was not impaired.

Conclusion: According to our findings, a similar magnitude of BP reduction as reported in previous trials can be expected in elderly patients. Elderly patients with rHTN should not be excluded from renal denervation.