Renal sympathetic denervation for resistant hypertension

Status:

In progress

Technology type:

Device

Decision:

Selected

Prioritisation programme:

HealthTech

Rationale:

TBC

Process:

HTE

Description:

Hypertension also known as high blood pressure is a common condition in which the force of blood pushing through the arteries is consistently high. Hypertension does not usually cause symptoms, but it is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Treatment options initially include medications and lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure. But, for some people, medication is not effective at controlling their hypertension (resistant hypertension). Hypertension is considered resistant if it is not controlled after taking the highest doses of 3 or more antihypertensives a person can tolerate. Around 30% of the UK population have hypertension and 5-10% of people treated for hypertension are estimated to have resistant hypertension. In these cases, surgical or interventional procedures for resistant hypertension may be considered. Renal sympathetic denervation is a minimally invasive procedure which may lower blood pressure. In this procedure, using a local anaesthetic, sedation and anticoagulation, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is guided with imaging through the skin (percutaneous) into an artery in the thigh and then into the renal arteries (transluminal). The catheter uses heat (radiofrequency), sound (ultrasound) waves, or small amounts of medical-grade alcohol to destroy the nerves in the renal artery. The aim is to interrupt nerve signals that help control blood pressure.

Project Team

Project lead

Donna Barnes

Email enquiries

If you have any queries please email HealthTech1@nice.org.uk

External Assessment Group:

Peninsula Technology Assessment Group (PenTAG), University of Exeter

Timeline

Key events during the development of the guidance:

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