P63 MODIFICATION OF SYMPATHETIC TONE BY RENAL ARTERY DENERVATION CAUSES EARLY, SIGNIFICANT AND SUSTAINED ARTERIAL DE-STIFFENING

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether Sympathetic Renal Denervation (RDN) might have an additive value for cardiovascular risk decline beyond lowering blood pressure. Methods: 73 selected patients with resistant hypertension had RDN performed. Arterial stiffness was measured, using applanation tonometry, before the procedure, 24 to 48 hours following the procedure and subsequently 1, 3 and 6 months after the RDN. Results: Within 48 hours RDN significantly reduced carotid-femoral aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) from 11.3 ± 2.7 to 10.3 ± 2.6 m/s (p = 0.001), the reduction was sustained at months 1, 3, and 6. Early changes of AoPWV value did not correlate with office systolic or diastolic BP (p = 0.45; p = 0.33). Furthermore, the higher the initial AoPWV value, the greater the reduction of AoPWV was observed after 6 months: Q1 8.4 ± 1, Δ 0.05 ± 1.6/Q2 10.1 ± 0.4, Δ 1.1 ± 1.4/Q3 12.2±0.8, Δ 1.8 ± 1.7/Q4 15.3 ± 1.7, Δ 2.8 ± 2.1, (p = 0.002). Conclusion: A sustainable effect on AoPWV, observed in our study as early as within 24-48 hours following the procedure and up to 6 months, suggests an additional RDN effect on reducing arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk. The de-stiffening effect was greater in patients with high initial AoPWV.