Perirenal Adipose Tissue Modification Therapy for Resistant Hypertension

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease. However, the control rate of hypertension in China is very low. Resistant hypertension is defined as uncontrolled blood pressure despite optimal lifestyle modifications and the use of three appropriately tolerated, maximally dosed antihypertensive drugs (including a diuretic), or controlled blood pressure with four antihypertensive drugs. Resistant hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and poor prognosis.

Previous studies have shown that bilateral perirenal adipose tissue (PRAT) ablation or denervation leads to a long-term blood pressure reduction in spontaneous hypertensive rats. Focused power ultrasound (FPU) targeted PRAT modification therapy is a novel intervention aiming to physically or chemically modify PRAT using ultrasound energy, remove nerve fibers, and treat hypertension. Preliminary feasibility and safety was proved in a pilot study of 20 patients. However, a larger, randomized trial is needed to prove efficacy and long-term safety of the treatment.

Participants with resistant hypertension will be recruited in 10 centers and then to investigate whether PRAT modification therapy by FPU is effective and safe for patients with resistant hypertension.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female participants aged 18-75 years old;
• 24h ambulatory systolic BP ≥130mmHg and <150mmHg, and 24h ambulatory diastolic BP <100mmHg after at least 4 weeks of combined treatment with 3 antihypertensive drugs (including a diuretic);
• The ultrasound measured inferior perirenal adipose tissue ≥8 cm3 (with the superior-inferior diameter, left-right diameter, and anterior-posterior diameter all needing to be ≥20 mm);
• Be willing to participate in the trial, and be able to visit doctors by himself or herself;
• Sign the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Secondary hypertension;
• Occurrence of myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmia, severe renal failure, or stroke within 6 months;
• Ambulatory BP monitoring was invalid (<70% valid readings, or <20 daytime readings or <7 nighttime readings);
• Alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), or total bilirubin (TBL) above twice the normal range; eGFR (CKD-EPI) <45mL/min/1.73m2;
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus or uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes mellitus (glycated hemoglobin ≥8.5%);
• Single functionally normal kidney or presence of renal malignant tumor;
• Bilateral skin diseases at renal region that are not suitable for the therapy;
• Women in pregnancy, lactating, or planning for pregnancy;
• Other concomitant diseases that are considered not suitable for participation in the trial;
• Patients have contraindications to angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNIs), thiazide-like diuretic drugs, or calcium channel blocker (CCBs);
• Non-compliant patients.