1659 – Catheter-based renal denervation for uncontrolled elevated systolic blood pressure

Page last updated: 21 February 2024

Application Detail

Description of Medical Service

Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) is intended as a one-time treatment adjunct to existing standard of care medication therapy, in patients with confirmed uncontrolled elevated systolic blood pressure ≥150 mmHg, despite optimised treatment with three or more antihypertensive drugs, or intolerant to antihypertensive medication, and who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease based on one or more specified risk factor. RDN utilises an endovascular approach and ablative technology (e.g. radio frequency, ultrasound, local alcohol microinjection) to selectively disrupt the renal sympathetic nervous system in a localised and minimally invasive manner at the level of the kidney.

The RDN procedure is performed in the catheterisation laboratory, using standard endovascular intervention techniques similar to those used in renal angioplasty or stenting. The ablation catheter is localised via the femoral artery to the renal arteries. The efferent and afferent nerves adjacent to the artery are ablated through the arterial wall. During the procedure, both renal arteries are treated. The RDN procedure is considered to reduce blood pressure via reduction in total peripheral resistance, reduced renin release, and favourable alterations of water and salt handling.

Description of Medical Condition

Hypertension is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. In most people, hypertension typically does not cause symptoms. However, left uncontrolled, HTN is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral arterial disease, vision loss, chronic kidney disease, and dementia.

For many patients, hypertension can be well managed with life-styles changes, and if these alone are not effective, the use of one or more anti-hypertensive medications. However, there is a subset of patients who have effectively exhausted therapy options, who remain with uncontrolled elevated systolic blood pressure ≥150 mmHg, despite optimised treatment with three or more antihypertensive drugs, or who are intolerant to antihypertensive medication.

Reason for Application

New MBS item

Medical Service Type

Therapeutic

Previous Application Number/s

Not Applicable

Associated Documentation

Application Form

Application Form (PDF 2579 KB)
Application Form (Word 1185 KB)

Consultation Survey

Consultation Survey (PDF 557 KB)
Consultation Survey (Word 70 KB)

PASC Consultation
Consultation closed

MSAC Consultation
MSAC consultation input closed Friday, 6 October 2023.

For further information please refer to PASC, ESC, MSAC Key Dates
For further information on the consultation process please refer to MSAC Consultation Process

PICO Confirmation

PICO Confirmation (PDF 2039 KB)
PICO Confirmation (Word 332 KB)

Assessment Report

-

Public Summary Document

Public Summary Document (PDF 1000 KB)
Public Summary Document (Word 486 KB)

Meetings for this Application

PASC

15-16 April 2021

ESC

5-6 October 2023

MSAC

23-24 November 2023