Abstract

Hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system is one of the main mechanisms to play a role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Its high prevalence and the low rates of adequate blood pressure control with pharmacological treatment brought interest to novel therapeutical strategies. Percutaneous renal sympathetic denervation emerged as an effective and safe alternative to reduce blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension. Other potential indications to this procedure are heart failure, cases of insulin resistance, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea and cardiac arrhythmias.

Keywords: Blood pressure, hypertension, percutaneous ablation, renal denervation, resistant hypertension, sympathetic hyperactivity.