Central Carolina Hospital has announced the successful completion of its first renal denervation procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The medical procedure was directed by Dr. Rajiv Swamy, the interventional cardiologist and Chief of the Department of Medicine at the hospital, on February 10. The technique utilized was the Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation (RDN) system.
Renal denervation, also known as renal ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure approved by the FDA to treat hypertension that is unresponsive to other treatments. The FDA formally approved this procedure to lower blood pressure in November 2023.
Clinical trials have indicated that ultrasound-based renal denervation is safe and effective, demonstrating meaningful reductions in blood pressure levels and helping mitigate risks associated with stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure.
In the United States, over 54 million adults receive treatment for high blood pressure, with many patients failing to achieve the standard blood pressure threshold of 120/80 even after lifestyle adjustments and medication use. Due to the absence of physical symptoms, many patients with hypertension remain unaware of their condition, which is why hypertension is often described as a “silent killer.”
Traditional approaches to managing high blood pressure involve lifestyle adaptations and medication therapies. However, side effects of medications can lead to low adherence, with patients either missing doses or discontinuing the use of their prescriptions entirely. Uncontrolled hypertension elevates the risk of severe cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, as well as kidney disease and cognitive challenges.
“For many patients, medications just aren’t enough,” Dr. Swamy explained. “The 24-hour ‘always-on’ effect offered by renal denervation enables better blood pressure control and reduced risk of long-term complications. For many people, this treatment can significantly reduce their high blood pressure medication dosage, or even allow them to stop using medication altogether.”
The renal denervation procedure involves the use of a catheter by an interventional cardiologist to deliver ultrasound or radiofrequency energy to the renal arteries. These are the blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the kidneys. The procedure destroys the renal nerves without causing damage to the arteries, resulting in decreased nerve activity and a consequent reduction in blood pressure.
This procedure is minimally invasive and can be conducted in an outpatient environment, enabling most patients to return home the same day.
Patients with resistant hypertension may be recommended for renal denervation by their primary care providers, with candidacy also depending on the health of their blood vessels.
To obtain further information, individuals can visit the Central Carolina Hospital’s website or contact their cardiology department.
