Renal Denervation for Treating Resistant Hypertension: Current Evidence and Future Insights from a Global Perspective

Figure 1

Activation of renal nerves and their actions in different organs. Stimulation of the renal sympathetic efferent nerves causes renin release, sodium retention, and reduced renal blood flow, factors which cause hypertension. Elevated afferent renal sensory nerve signals are centrally integrated in the hypothalamic region and result in increased sympathetic outflow directed to various regions, including the kidneys, the skeletal muscle vasculature, and the heart, which contributes substantially to elevated peripheral vascular resistance, vascular remodeling, and left ventricular hypertrophy.