Korean Circ J.  2021 Jan;51(1):43-55. 10.4070/kcj.2020.0391.

An Open-label, Single-arm, Multicenter Feasibility Study Evaluating the Safety of Catheter-based Renal Denervation with DENEX™ in Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension on Standard Medical Therapy

• Kim CJ
• Chang K
• Kim BK
• Park CG
• Jang Y

• KMID: 2509902
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2020.0391

Abstract

Background and Objectives
DENEX™ is a novel renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) system that is equipped with 3 electrodes that deliver radiofrequency energy to the renal nerves along renal arteries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RDN with DENEX™ in resistant hypertension.
Methods
This was an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, first-in-man pilot study. Between November 2016 and May 2018, a total of 16 patients were enrolled at 4 centers in South Korea. The inclusion criteria were systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥150 mmHg and use of 3 or more antihypertensive medications, including diuretics. The primary objective was the safety outcome of RDN with the DENEX™ system. The secondary objective was efficacy outcome based on changes of office, and 24-hour ambulatory SBP from baseline to 3 months. The patients underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) or duplex ultrasonogram before and 6 months after RDN.
Results
No major adverse events occurred after RDN for 6 month of follow-up period. There was no vascular complication either by CT or duplex ultrasonogram. The office SBP was significantly reduced from 164.6±11.6 mmHg at baseline to 142.0±20.4 mmHg (−24.4±24.4 mmHg, p=0.003) at 3 months. The ambulatory SBP was reduced from 151.44±12.85 mmHg at baseline to 140.0±16.5 mmHg (−13.1±18.9 mmHg, p=0.056) at 3 months.
Conclusion
RDN with the DENEX™ system showed a favorable safety profile in resistant hypertension. A significant reduction in office SBP and a borderline reduction in ambulatory SBP were observed.

Keyword

Hypertension; Drug resistance; Denervation; Catheter ablation

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Diagram of the DENEX pilot study.BP = blood pressure; CT = computed tomography.

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  Figure 2 DENEX™ percutaneous RDN system. (A) DENEX™ catheter. (B) DENEX™ generator.

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  Figure 3 RDN by DENEX™ percutaneous RDN system. (A) Renal angiogram for renal artery is performed. After the renal angiogram is confirmed for eligibility for RDN procedure, guiding catheter is advance to aorta and engaged in renal artery. (B) Guidewire is advanced to distal renal artery. (C) After proper position of RDN catheter is confirmed, the electrodes are opened and renal denervation is performed for 60 seconds. (D) After RDN procedure is completed in 1 of the renal arteries, renal angiogram is performed again to check for any post-ablation complication.RDN = renal sympathetic denervation.

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  Figure 4 Ambulatory and office BP reduction from baseline to 3 months.ABPM = ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; BP = blood pressure; SBP = systolic blood pressure.

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  Figure 5 BP reduction at 3 months and composition of BP.BP = blood pressure.

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