Abstract 13660: Endovascular Ultrasound Renal Denervation for Resistant Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Sham-Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: Radiofrequency renal denervation (RDN) is used as a treatment for resistant hypertension, although its efficacy is still under evaluation. Similarly, ultrasound RDN, a less invasive technique, has yielded inconsistent results in this population. Hypothesis: Ultrasound RDN may lower blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. Aims: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound RDN versus a sham procedure in treating resistant hypertension. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase in May 2023 to include randomized sham-controlled trials assessing the efficacy of ultrasound RDN. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 using generic inverse variance weighting to pool mean ± standard deviation and least square mean ± standard error. Results: We included three studies comprising 323 patients with resistant hypertension on ≥ three antihypertensive medications, of whom 51.7% were randomized to RDN. Follow-up at analysis ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of change from baseline in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP; MD -2.15 mmHg; 95% -5.07, 0.76; p=0.15; Fig. 1A), 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (DBP; MD -1.19 mmHg; 95% CI -2.91, 0.53; p=0.18; Fig. 1B) or office SBP (MD -1.71 mmHg; 95% CI -9.62, 6.20; p=0.67; Fig. 1C). Conclusion: In this meta-analysis, ultrasound RDN did not significantly reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension as compared with a sham procedure.