Addressing Hypertension Treatment Disparities Via Renal Denervation

To discuss available data on renal denervation (RDN) for treating hypertension and how expanding access to RDN may improve rates of controlled hypertension while helping address hypertension treatment disparities. RDN is an FDA-approved procedure for the treatment of patients with confirmed uncontrolled hypertension, with proven efficacy and safety in randomized sham-controlled trials. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services completed a national coverage analysis for RDN coverage for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension. By summarizing the available data on RDN and hypertension statistics among different race and ethnicities in the United States, our review highlights the potential for RDN to improve treatment control rates, without increasing medication burden. By expanding coverage for the procedure, RDN may be an important tool to reduce significant treatment disparities in hypertension.