Research & Publications
How Greece is pioneering a structured pathway for Renal Denervation in Hypertension Care
March 16, 2026
Kostantinos Tsioufis, Professor of Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece: “Consensus Referral Pathway for the Clinical Use of Renal Denervation in Uncontrolled Hypertension: Recent international guidelines recommend RDN as the third therapeutic pillar in uncontrolled or resistant HTN management – alongside lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy – within a shared decision-making framework.
To facilitate the effective implementation of these recommendations within the Greek national healthcare context, the Hellenic Society of Hypertension in collaboration with the Hellenic Society of Cardiology (Working Groups “Hypertension and Heart”, “Interventional Cardiology”), the Hellenic Society of Nephrology, and the Hellenic Academy of General Practice/Family Medicine and Primary Health Care produced a consensus structured referral pathway towards optimal hypertension control. In this pathway the management of a hypertensive patient can be conceptualized as a stepwise process in seven sequential steps:
- From the initial detection of elevated BP and confirmation of hypertension to the management of hypertension including potential application of innovative therapies and subsequent follow-up by the treating physician. In patients willing to undergo RDN, confirmation of eligibility criteria for RDN should be conducted by a HTN team (in person or remotely) after careful review of the candidate’s medical file including a 24h ambulatory BP monitoring.
- The HTN team should ideally involve a Hypertension Outpatient Clinic or Hypertension Excellence Center or a specialized doctor with documented experience in HTN. The procedure should be performed in medium-to high volume catheterization labs by experienced interventionalists, and the patients should be referred to their treating physicians for regular followed by them.
- Treating physicians will also be asked to register and insert their patients’ data in the national Hellenic-RDN database posted on the website of the Hellenic Society of Hypertension.
So, by consensus we offer for first time a structured referral pathway designed to optimize hypertension control rates by integrating all guideline-endorsed therapeutic options, including RDN, within the organizational framework of a national healthcare system”
References:
Tsioufis K, Doumas M, Aznaouridis K, Davlouros P, Dimitriadis K, Fragkoulis E, et al. Consensus Referral Pathway for the Clinical Use of Renal Denervation in Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Joint Statement by the Hellenic Society of Hypertension, the Hellenic Society of Cardiology, the Hellenic Society of Nephrology and the Hellenic Academy of General Practice/Family Medicine and Primary Health Care. Hellenic J Cardiol. 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hjc.2025.12.004
Groundbreaking real-world data shows significant blood pressure reduction with Paradise™ uRDN System
December 10, 2025
Hypertension remains one of the leading preventable causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide, with 10–15% of patients suffering from resistant hypertension. New data presented at TCT 2025 highlight the powerful impact of Recor Medical’s Paradise™ Ultrasound Renal Denervation (uRDN) system.
September 22, 2025
Despite advances in hypertension treatment, nearly 75% of U.S. adults still struggle with uncontrolled blood pressure. A new nationwide analysis highlights the vast potential – and risks – of renal denervation (RDN) as a therapeutic option.
June 26, 2025
Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure saw meaningful reductions after switching to ultrasound renal denervation—even without increasing medications.
