The safety of renal denervation as assessed by optical coherence tomography: pre- and post-procedure comparison with multi-electrode ablation catheter in animal experiment

Abstract

Objective: To prove the effectiveness and safety of multi-electrode ablation catheter in renal denervation (RDN) by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Sixteen renal arteries were enrolled from 8 pigs. Angiography and OCT were performed to analyze the morphological changes before RDN and at 1-month follow-up. Blood pressure and creatinine were measured to prove the effectiveness and safety of the catheter. Results: One renal artery was excluded because of the small diameter. Fifteen renal arteries successfully underwent renal denervation and OCT. Mean blood pressure was significantly reduced at 1 month after RDN (122.40 ± 3.54 mmHg vs. 106.50 ± 2.06 mmHg, n = 8, P .05). OCT results showed no significant difference in vasospasm, dissections, wall edemas, and thrombus formations (P > .05) at 1 month after the procedure. Conclusion: This multi-electrode ablation catheter could cause minor injury to renal artery instantly after RDN, but it is found to be safe in the animal model at 1-month follow-up.

Keywords

• Renal denervation
• Optical coherence tomography
• Hypertension