Pulmonary Artery Denervation: Update on Clinical Studies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Sympathetic overactivity plays an important role in the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The purpose of this review is to illustrate localization of pulmonary arterial sympathetic nerves, the key steps of pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) procedure, and to highlight clinical outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS: Sympathetic nerves mostly occurred in the posterior region of the bifurcation and pulmonary trunk. Emerging preclinical data provided the potential of PADN for PAH. PADN, produced at bifurcation area, improved a profound reduction of pulmonary arterial pressure and ameliorated clinical outcomes with an exclusive ablation catheter. The application of PADN in the patients of PAH or combined pre-capillary and post-capillary PH (CpcPH) improved the hemodynamic parameters and increased 6MWD. Sympathetic overactivity aggravates PAH. PADN is a promising interventional treatment for PAH and CpcPH. Additional clinical trials are warranted to confirm the efficacy of PADN.