Renal denervation gives better outcomes than drugs in advanced heart failure

Munich, Germany – August 27 2012: Renal denervation leads to better outcomes than standard drug treatment in patients with advanced heart failure, according to research presented at ESC Congress 2012. The results of the Olomouc I pilot study were presented by Dr Miloš Táborský from the University Hospital Olomouc.

Renal denervation does not involve any pharmacological treatment. It is a multiple application of radiofrequency energy using a thin catheter via the femoral artery and a long-term "denervation" of the sympathetic nerves around the renal arteries. "This is done to prevent an increased excretion of the substances leading to heart failure," said Dr Táborský.

The aim of this pilot study was to compare the outcomes of patients with advanced heart failure receiving standard pharmacological treatment or renal denervation. Over the period of one year, 26 patients were treated with renal denervation and standard pharmacotherapy and 25 patients received standard drug treatment with beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs and diuretics.

After one year contractile function of the left side of the heart improved in patients treated with renal denervation from 25±12% to 31±14% (p END