title: Atrial Remodeling Following Catheter-Based Renal Denervation Occurs in a Blood Pressure- and Heart Rate-Independent Manner.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to investigate left atrial (LA) remodeling in relation to blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) after renal sympathetic denervation (RDN).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In addition to reducing BP and HR in certain patients with hypertension, RDN can decrease left ventricular (LV) mass and ameliorate LV diastolic dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before and 6 months after RDN, BP, HR, LV mass, left atrial volume index (LAVI), diastolic function (echocardiography), and premature atrial contractions (PAC) (Holter electrocardiogram) were assessed in 66 patients with resistant hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RDN reduced office BP by 21.6 ± 3.0/10.1 ± 2.0 mm Hg (p < 0.001), and HR by 8.0 ± 1.3 beats/min (p < 0.001). At baseline, LA size correlated with LV mass, diastolic function, and pro-brain natriuretic peptide, but not with BP or HR. Six months after RDN, LAVI was reduced by 4.0 ± 0.7 ml/kg/m(2) (p < 0.001). LA size decrease was stronger when LAVI at baseline was higher. In contrast, the decrease in LAVI was not dependent on LV mass or diastolic function (E/E' or E/A) at baseline. Furthermore, LAVI decreased without relation to decrease in systolic BP or HR. Additionally, occurrence of PAC (median of >153 PAC/24 h) was reduced (to 68 PAC/24 h) by RDN, independently of changes in LA size.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with resistant hypertension, LA volume and occurrence of PAC decreased 6 months after RDN. This decrease was independent of BP and HR at baseline or the reduction in BP and HR reached by renal denervation. These data suggest that there is a direct, partly BP-independent effect of RDN on cardiac remodeling and occurrence of premature atrial contractions.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany. Electronic address: stephan.schirmer@uks.eu.
authors.forename: Stephan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Schirmer
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Marwa M Y A
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sayed
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan-Christian
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reil
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lavall
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ukena
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominik
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Linz
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mahfoud
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Innere Medizin III (Kardiologie, Angiologie und Internistische Intensivmedizin), Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böhm
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D018880:Atrial Premature Complexes / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D064752:Atrial Remodeling; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000294:innervation*; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: echocardiography; left atrium; premature atrial contractions; renal denervation; resistant hypertension