Renal denervation technologies, which are already the focus of much clinical attention for the potential to treat high blood pressure without drugs, may have a bonus side-effect in keeping the heart in check, according to researchers.
Patients who underwent renal denervation for drug-resistant hypertension experienced significant reductions in ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate as well as a reduction in symptoms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, according to a study presented at this year’s American College of Cardiology conference.
The study enrolled 14 patients with drug-resistant high blood pressure and tracked their blood pressure and heart rhythm results 1 month after treatment.
"The number of premature ventricular contractions was significantly decreased after [renal sympathetic denervation]," according to the study’s abstract. The researchers noted that there was no correlation between the blood pressure and heart rhythm effects experienced by patients.
The findings add to growing studies of the unintended, beneficial side effects of renal denervation therapy.
