A catheter-based probe procedure can help hypertension, or high blood pressure, according to new research.
French researcher, Dr. Marc R. Sapoval, a professor of clinical radiology and chairman of the cardiovascular radiology department at Hopital Europeen Georges-Pompidou in Paris, conducted a study of 106 adult patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
The participants received oral medication or a probe inserted in the renal artery emitting high-frequency energy. The renal denervation treatment deactivates the nerves near the kidney that are linked to high blood pressure,
After six months, 39 percent of the patients who received the new treatment reached recommended blood pressure readings and 50 percent showed a considerable benefit.
At the end of the study, the top blood pressure reading (systolic pressure) fell an average of 32 millimeters of mercury and the lower blood pressure reading (diastolic pressure) fell 12 mnHg on average.
"Given its impact on the central sympathetic drive, Sapoval said, according to UPI, renal denervation may have applicability in additional disease states such as heart failure, cardio-renal syndrome, hepato-renal syndrome, and in the prevention of progression of chronic kidney disease and hypertension in end-stage renal disease."
Sapoval said in a statement the small nerves that carry signals between the brain to the kidney are important in the regulation of blood pressure levels and disruption of those nerves has a positive effect on hypertension.
The findings were presented at the 36th annual scientific meeting for the Society of Interventional Radiology in Chicago.
