A groundbreaking medical procedure recently approved by the FDA is bringing new hope to individuals suffering from treatment-resistant hypertension. [Source]
This minimally invasive technique, designed to target nerves near the kidneys, has been hailed as a game-changer in the battle against this silent killer.
Dr. Samin Sharma, an interventional cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City, recently performed this procedure, marking a significant advancement in hypertension treatment.
The technique involves ablating the overstimulated sympathetic nerves near the kidneys, a process that can effectively control blood pressure for up to five years, potentially averting severe health crises like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure. [Source]
Two devices have received FDA approval for this treatment – Medtronic’s Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation system and Recor Medical’s Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation system. According to the FDA, these devices are intended for patients whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive medications.
Dr. Sharma explains the procedure, “During this one-hour process, we insert a thin tube into the renal artery and use sound waves or radiofrequency energy to target and ablate the overactive sympathetic nerves connected to the kidney.” This process effectively calms the nerves’ activity, thereby mitigating blood pressure to the brain.
This technique, as per studies, helps lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings for extended periods, offering a ray of hope for those with persistent hypertension. “You kind of destroy the nerve endings,” Dr. Sharma told Fox News Digital, emphasizing the minimal likelihood of negative impact on the kidneys.
Despite its promise, like any medical procedure, there are risks involved, including potential artery damage, though this is rare, occurring in about one in 500 cases.
The life-changing results of this procedure were evident in the case of Adit Dhawan, a 44-year-old father from Long Island, New York, who underwent the treatment at Mount Sinai on December 4. Dhawan had struggled with high blood pressure since the age of 19, and despite a healthy lifestyle, his condition persisted. Post-procedure, Dhawan has experienced a significant drop in his blood pressure, now averaging 135/85 mm Hg, and has reduced his reliance on medications.
Mount Sinai stands as the only hospital in New York – and one of the few in the country – to offer this groundbreaking procedure.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Dr. Manesh R. Patel from Duke University remarked on the significance of this therapy for patients with hypertension. “Hypertension is the most frequent modifiable risk factor for heart disease, and blood pressure control in our country is not where it needs to be,” he stated, underscoring the importance of this procedure in complementing medications for blood pressure control.
Dr. Steven Potter from MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute also weighed in, noting the global costs of hypertension and the potential value of innovative treatments like this one. However, he cautions that more research and experience are needed to determine the procedure’s role in clinical practice.
With hypertension affecting nearly half of U.S. adults and only a quarter able to control it effectively, this procedure could represent a significant stride in public health. In 2021, hypertension was a primary or contributing cause of over 691,000 deaths in the U.S., highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment options.
This new procedure, therefore, stands as a beacon of hope for many, potentially altering the landscape of hypertension treatment and saving countless lives.