Pulmonary artery denervation in patients with pulmonary hypertension: present state and clinical experience

Abstract

Despite treatment advances, the prognosis of patients with both primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains unfavorable. The increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system is one of the universal mechanisms involved in the PH pathogenesis. Pulmonary artery denervation is a novel minimally invasive pathogenetic method of PH treatment. The denervation procedure is mainly implemented by using radiofrequency ablation of the pulmonary trunk, where most sympathetic nerve fibers are located. In this article we present an overview and analysis of the present state, results of various experimental and clinical studies, as well as clinical experience. The results of studies demonstrated the safety of endovascular surgery and its beneficial effect on both hemodynamic and clinical parameters.