Current targeted medications for pulmonary arterial hypertension can help symptoms but have limited long-term effectiveness and often cause significant side effects and high costs. Percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation is a realtively new interventional procedure that selectively destroys sympathetic nerves to restore nerve and hormone balance in patients who don’t respond well to standard medications – see also our previous article at this link.
As per this case study, published in Catheterization & Cardiovascular Interventions (CCI), pulmonary artery denervation can significantly improve blood flow and exercise capacity in medium to high-risk patients by reducing excessive sympathetic nervous system activity. The procedure promotes widening of pulmonary blood vessels and works especially well when combined with targeted medications, creating enhanced therapeutic effects. Large-scale clinical trials are still needed to confirm the procedure’s long-term effectiveness, determine which patients would benefit most, and standardize the surgical technique.
Summary by Suzanne Lea, AfPH volunteer
Citation
Pulmonary Artery Denervation for Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report, Gou Junqi, Liu Chaohui, Yao Fengyou, Cai Wei, Zhang Denghong, Liu Min, First published: 29 July 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/ccd.70058
Read more at this link on the Wiley Online Library. Only the abstract is available freely.
