Non-invasive quantification of anatomical and functional renal artery vessel wall changes in patients with resistant hypertension undergoing renal denervation using MRI

Methods 19 patients with resistant hypertension undergoing RDN were prospectively included. A 3.0T MRI including contrast-enhanced renal artery angiography was performed before the RDN procedure and at 6-month follow-up. In each patient the proximal part of both renal arteries was imaged for the cross-sectional area measurements using cine spiral MRI. Renal artery sharpness was evaluated with a quantitative analysis tool (Soap-Bubble Tool). In a subgroup of 11 patients, the distensibility (mm Hg(-1) × 10(3)) was determined as (maximum lumen area minimal lumen area)/(pulse pressure × minimal lumen area). The pulse pressure was calculated as the difference between the systolic and diastolic brachial blood pressure.