Simple procedure protects kidneys, reduces heart risk

OVERACTIVITY of neurons in the sympathetic—or fight or flight—nervous system is very common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It not only contributes to high blood pressure and heart problems in these patients, but also to worsening of their kidney disease.

Disrupting certain nerves in the kidneys through renal denervation can safely and effectively lower blood pressure in patients with CKD and hypertension. The findings* indicate that the procedure might improve CKD patients’ heart health.

The minimally invasive procedure—which uses radiofrequency waves to disrupt the overactive sympathetic nerves running along the arteries in the kidneys—can lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension and normal kidney function.

The investigators performed renal denervation in 15 patients with hypertension (average 174/91 mmHg despite taking numerous antihypertensive drugs) and CKD. Patients’ blood pressure readings dropped considerably at one, three, six, and 12 months after the procedure (-34/-14, -25/-11, -32/-15, and -33/-19 mmHg, respectively). Renal denervation did not worsen patients’ kidney function, indicating that it is safe even when CKD is present.

Approximately 60 million people globally have CKD. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in these individuals.

* Hering Dagmara ; Mahfoud Felix ; Walton Antony S. ; et al. (July 2012) “Renal Denervation in Moderate to Severe CKD” Journal of the American Society of Nephrology doi: 10.1681/ASN.2011111062.