Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Global SYMPLICITY Registry DEFINE (Denervation Findings in Real World) investigates radiofrequency renal denervation (RDN) in a broad range of patients with hypertension. We evaluated whether the number or type of antihypertensive medications were associated with increased long-term blood pressure (BP) reductions and cardiovascular outcomes following radiofrequency RDN. METHODS: Patients underwent radiofrequency RDN and were categorized by baseline number (0–3 and ≥4) and different combinations of medication classes. BP changes were compared between groups through 36 months. Individual and composite major adverse cardiovascular events were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 2746 evaluable patients, 18% were prescribed 0 to 3 and 82% prescribed ≥4 classes. At 36 months, office systolic BP significantly decreased ( P P P P P =0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency RDN reduced BP safely through 36 months, independent of the number and type of baseline antihypertensive medication classes. More patients decreased than increased their number of medications. Radiofrequency RDN is a safe and effective adjunctive therapy regardless of antihypertensive medication regimen. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01534299.