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Renal Sympathetic-Nerve Ablation is a surgical procedure that lasts about an hour. Ardian, a US company sponsoring the trials, has developed a system which uses a catheter along with radio frequency (RF) ablation to disrupt renal sympathetic nerves without denervation of other areas, such as the pelvis or abdomen. The catheter is first inserted into the Distal (Distant) Renal Artery near the kidneys. It is withdrawn in stages and rotated throughout the artery to sear the nerves responsible for sending signals from the brain to the kidneys. These signals are sent to stimulate the kidneys into raising blood pressure.
The operation in Britain, which is part of an International trial, was performed on 68 year old retired chef, Anthony Henry, from Stratford in East London back in December 2009. After 2 weeks Mr Henry`s blood pressure saw a definite reduction, and it is thought that most patients should have lowered results within 3 months.
The International clinical trials for this new innovative surgery started with 45 out of 50 patients from 5 Australian and European centres, who received treatment between June 2007 and November 2008. Having been completed, the results of that year long trial were published in the Lancet on March 30, 2009.
In brief, they were successful. Only 17% of those who took part did not experience a reduction in blood pressure, whereas 83% dropped their blood pressure by 10 mmHg diastolic or greater, up to 25 mmHg.
This is all very promising indeed, but a longer term observation must be carried out before this procedure can be classed as a hypertension cure. Apparently, the nerves can heal over time, so what would then be proposed? More surgery? Could there be health complications due to disruption of these nerves? These are just some of the questions raised.
For those who may be raising their hopes too high, it`s important to note however, that to begin with, the procedure will only be available for patients whose blood pressure is difficult to control. In other words, it is for those with resistant hypertension in which drugs don`t work.
There is however, a glimmer of hope for others with non-essential hypertension. Dr Krumm from Monash University in Melbourne Australia believes that there might be great potential even in patients who have less severe forms of hypertension.
No doubt, the results of these trials will be made public sooner or later, but until then, don`t hold your breath. Keep up the exercise routine and good dietary habits. You could be cured by then.
Jamesina Goulbourne is an article expert on the natural approach to alternative therapy for High Blood Pressure. She firmly believes in helping people take control of their own health by educating on how to work along with nature to help the healing process.
Discover more free, informative and highly relevant articles at her site http://www.highbloodpressureinfo.org
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamesina_Goulbourne
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