Radiofrequency Ablation Of The Renal Sympathetic Nerves As A Treatment For Resistant Hypertension

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the renal sympathetic nerves is thought to decrease both the afferent sympathetic signals from the kidney to the brain and the efferent signals from the brain to the kidney. This procedure decreases sympathetic activation, decreases vasoconstriction, and decreases activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Radiofrequency ablation of the renal sympathetic nerves may act as a nonpharmacologic treatment for hypertension and has been proposed as a treatment option for patients with uncontrolled hypertension despite the use of anti-hypertensive medications.