Abstract:Objective:To evaluate the safety of renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) using a saline-irrigated radiofrequency ablation catheter in 111 patients. Methods:Acute adverse events were recorded during bilateral RSD procedure with a saline-irrigated catheter. To evaluate renal function and renal artery structure,Serum creatinine(Scr),urea nitrogen(BUN),cystatin C and renal artery CTA were obtained in 55 patients from baseline to 6 month after RSD. Results:Total 111 patients (79 males and 32 females,aged 53.7 ± 13.1 years old) with hypertension,atrial fibrillation and/or heart failure etc. underwent RSD procedure. The number of lesions,average lesion duration,total duration,ablation power,ablation temperature,start impedance,and mean impedance decreasing were (16.1 ± 2.5) points,(71.6 ± 19.5)s,(1144.6 ± 338.3)s,(9.2 ± 1.5)W,(39.3 ± 1.2)℃,(173.7 ± 27.2)Ω and (10.9 ± 11.3)Ω,respectively. Acute adverse events included lesion area pain (110 cases,99%),vasovagal reflex (25 cases,22.5%),right renal artery dissection(one case,0.9%),vasospasm (one case,0.9%) and hematoma at the femoral access site (one case,0.9%) during procedure. The pain and vasovagal reflex disappeared after RSD procedure. The Renal artery dissection was treated with a stent without any subsequent complication. Fifty-five patients have completed 6-month follow-up. Scr,BUN and cystatin C concentrations had no significant change from baseline to 6 months follow-up[(77.4 ± 19.5)μmol/L vs (79.0 ± 21.7) μmol/L,P>0.05,(5.9 ± 1.7)mmol/L vs (6.0 ± 1.7)mmol/L,P > 0.05,(1.07 ± 0.25)mg/L vs (1.1 ± 0.26)mg/L,P > 0.05,respectively]. Renal artery CTA scan showed that two renal arteries had serious stenosis in 2 individuals. Ninety percent stenosis in the proximal portion of the right renal artery was observed in one patient,and right upper branch of renal artery had completely closed in another patient. The rest of renal arteries were normal at 6-month after RSD. Conclusion:Renal sympathetic denervation with irrigation catheter is relative safety. The rate of acute renal artery dissection was 0.9%(1/111). Renal function had no significant change and serious renal stenosis occurred in two patients( 3.6%,2/55) at 6 months follow-up.