Renal Sympathetic Denervation
What is it?
Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive, endovascular catheter based procedure using radiofrequency aimed at treating high blood pressure (hypertension). The Sydney Cardiovascular Centre performs the minimally invasive RSDN procedure under local anaesthesia which aims to reduce blood pressure in patients for whom medication alone has failed.
The Cardiologist guides a device (treatment catheter) into the arteries of the kidneys using x-ray to navigate the device. Once in place, the device produces high frequency radio-waves. This permanently interrupts abnormal nerve signals from the kidney to the heart, brain and blood vessels responsible for high blood pressure (hypertension).
Renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) is a minimally invasive, endovascular catheter based procedure using radiofrequency aimed at treating high blood pressure (hypertension). The Sydney Cardiovascular Centre performs the minimally invasive RSDN procedure under local anaesthesia which aims to reduce blood pressure in patients for whom medication alone has failed.
The Cardiologist guides a device (treatment catheter) into the arteries of the kidneys using x-ray to navigate the device. Once in place, the device produces high frequency radio-waves. This permanently interrupts abnormal nerve signals from the kidney to the heart, brain and blood vessels responsible for high blood pressure (hypertension).
Why it’s done
Renal Sympathetic Denervation aims to treat this cause of hypertension by shutting down the sympathetic nerves around the kidney artery, stopping the flow of nerve signal traffic responsible for increasing blood pressure. One of the causes of resistant hypertension is over-activity in the nerves in the nervous system responsible for regulating blood pressure. Abnormally elevated nerve signal traffic between the kidneys, heart, brain and blood vessels can increase blood pressure. Renal Sympathetic Denervation aims to treat this cause of hypertension by shutting down the sympathetic nerves around the kidney artery, stopping the flow of nerve signal traffic responsible for increasing blood pressure. The complete RSDN procedure usually takes about an hour. Most patients are admitted to a hospital ward beforehand and patients would usually expect to be kept in for one night after the procedure. |
What to expect
Inform Sydney Cardiovascular Centre staff about any tablets you take, particularly those that affect blood clotting such as Warfarin. Warfarin may need to be temporarily stopped several days before the procedure. You may be asked not to eat or drink for 2-4 hours before the procedure. After assessing the size and shape of your arteries the Cardiologist will advance the treatment catheter into the artery supplying one of your kidneys. When the treatment catheter has reached the appropriate location the Cardiologist will start the treatment. During the treatment,it is not uncommon to feel some discomfort or pain in your abdomen. This discomfort can usually be managed effectively with pain medication and only lasts a short time. Each treatment will last about 2 minutes and will be repeated several times within the artery. The complete RSDN procedure usually takes about an hour. Most patients are admitted to a hospital ward beforehand and patients would usually expect to be kept in for one night after the procedure. © Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Used with permission of Boston Scientific Corporation
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