Renal Nerve Denervation After Pulmonary Vein Isolation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Electrical isolation of the pulmonary vein (PVI) by radiofrequency energy or cryoablation has been shown to be an effective treatment of AF by reducing morbidity, improving quality of life and functional capacity. Renal artery sympathetic denervation (RND) by catheter ablation has been shown in a preliminary study to improve outcome of PVI in patients with paroxysmal and/or persistent AF with concomitant refractory or moderate hypertension. In patients with renal impairment, RND also conferred benefit in reducing AF recurrence after PVI. The initial indication for catheter-based RND is for blood pressure control in patients with resistant hypertension. However, a recent study failed to show significant difference in blood pressure reduction by RND. Therefore, the effect of RND on AF suppression may be independent of blood pressure control. Possible mechanisms of RND on AF may include risk factors modification and anti-arrhythmic effect.