Denervation of the renal arteries in the treatment of resistant hypertension: Definition of the disease, patient selection and description of the procedure. Reference document 2012 of the Italian Society of Hypertension (SIIA). [Denervazione delle arterie renali nel trattamento dell'ipertensione arteriosa resistente: Definizione della patologia, selezione dei pazienti e descrizione della procedura. Documento di indirizzo 2012 della Società Italiana dell'Ipertensione Arteriosa (SIIA)]

Hypertension is responsible for a relevant burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although several appropriate and integrated pharmacological strategies are available, blood pressure control still remains largely unsatisfactory. Failure to achieve effective blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients may have a substantial impact on overall cardiovascular risk, since it significantly increases the risk of both macrovascular and microvascular complications. Hypertension is arbitrarily defined as "resistant" or "refractory" when recommended blood pressure goals (clinic blood pressure <140/90 mmHg, or