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MarinHealth Cardiologists First on West Coast to Perform Procedure Outside of Clinical Trial
MarinHealth interventional cardiologists treated the first patient with a revolutionary new renal denervation (RDN) procedure, now offered for patients with poorly controlled blood pressure. Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system involves a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. The procedure – also known as the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure – is approved for use as an adjunctive treatment in patients with high blood pressure (or hypertension) when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure.
Hypertension is the single largest contributor to death,1 and affects about 50% of U.S. adults.2 Of the U.S. adults who are aware of their hypertension, about 80% do not have it under control.3
“We’re so excited to be the first on the West Coast to offer this innovative treatment option right here in Marin,” commented chief executive officer David Klein, MD. “Thanks to the generosity of Reta and Bill Haynes through their family foundation, we can help patients find a life-changing option and peace of mind.”
The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure,4-6 which can lower serious health risks.7 After mild sedation, the interventional cardiologist inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind.
"High blood pressure is a common problem that is difficult for patients to control. A combination of lifestyle changes, like exercise and weight loss, and medication can help treat high blood pressure safely. However, many patients still lack adequate blood pressure lowering," said interventional cardiologist Robert Sperling, MD. "Renal denervation can help reduce blood pressure in patients with a single, minimally invasive procedure and does not require a permanent implant. We are grateful that we were able to treat this patient, and we look forward to helping more patients with this innovative procedure."
If you or someone you know is experiencing uncontrolled blood pressure, talk to a doctor at the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute to see if the Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a possible treatment option. Visit MyMarinHealth.org/RenalDenervation.
- WHO. Hypertension fact sheet. September 13, 2019. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. Accessed February 15, 2022. 2. Kandzari DE, Böhm M, Mahfoud F, et al. Effect of renal denervation on blood pressure in the presence of antihypertensive drugs: 6-month efficacy and safety results from the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED proof-of-concept randomised trial. The Lancet. 2018 Jun 9;391(10137):2346-2355.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2020.
- Facts about Hypertension. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm. Accessed August 10, 2023.
- Kandzari DE, Böhm M, Mahfoud F, et al. Effect of renal denervation on blood pressure in the presence of antihypertensive drugs: 6-month efficacy and safety results from the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED proof-of-concept randomised trial. The Lancet. 2018 Jun 9;391(10137):2346-2355.
- Böhm M, Kario K, Kandzari DE, et al. Efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal): a multicentre, randomized, sham-controlled trial. The Lancet 2020; Published online March 29, 2020. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30554-7.
- Townsend RR, Mahfoud F, Kandzari DE, et al. Catheter-based renal denervation in patients with uncontrolled hypertension in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED): a randomised, sham-controlled, proof-of-concept trial. The Lancet. 2017;390:2160–2170.
- Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. 2016;387:957-67.