Renal denervation for arrhythmias: hope or hype?

Renal artery denervation (RDN) has been introduced as an ablation procedure that can effectively treat drug-resistant forms of hypertension. The ablative lesions reduce the afferent and efferent sympathetic nerve traffic to and from the kidneys, thus improving blood pressure control. Because of better control of blood pressure, and because the procedure reduces central sympathetic output to sensitive structures within the cardiovascular system, it has been hypothesized that RDN may be a valuable antiarrhythmic intervention. Preliminary results using RDN for atrial fibrillation control are promising. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which RDN may function as an antiarrhythmic treatment and early clinical results.