CYNTHIANA — Harrison Memorial Hospital (HMH) is offering a new renal denervation (RDN) procedure for patients with hypertension that remains difficult to control. HMH was the first hospital in Central Kentucky to offer the new procedure.
Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in November 2023, the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system is designed to help reduce blood pressure by targeting overactive nerves near the kidneys that contribute to hypertension.
“Bringing advanced cardiovascular care to our community is a priority for Harrison Memorial Hospital,” says Kathy Tussey, HMH chief executive officer. “We are proud to be the first hospital in the region to offer the Symplicity blood pressure procedure, performed by Dr. Matthew Shotwell. This innovative therapy reflects our commitment to providing patients with access to the latest evidence-based treatments close to home.”
Also known as the Symplicity™ blood pressure procedure, RDN is approved as an adjunctive treatment for patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled with lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications alone. The procedure does not replace medication or lifestyle modifications but works alongside them to help achieve improved blood pressure control.
Hypertension is the single largest contributor to death worldwide and affects approximately 50% of U.S. adults. Among adults who are aware they have high blood pressure, nearly 80% do not have it under control. Uncontrolled hypertension significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health complications.
The Symplicity blood pressure procedure has been clinically proven to help reduce blood pressure, which can lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events. During the procedure, performed under mild sedation, a physician inserts a very thin catheter through an artery leading to the kidneys. Controlled energy is then delivered to calm the excessive nerve activity contributing to high blood pressure. The catheter is removed at the end of the procedure, leaving no permanent implant behind. The procedure is performed at Harrison Memorial Hospital by Matthew Shotwell, MD, interventional cardiologist.
“High blood pressure is one of the most common and challenging conditions we treat, and for many patients, medications and lifestyle changes alone simply aren’t enough,” says Shotwell. “Renal denervation offers a new option for carefully selected patients by addressing one of the underlying drivers of hypertension. This procedure provides consistent blood pressure reduction without the need for an implant, and we are excited to offer this advanced treatment to patients in our region.”
At HMH, patient evaluations for renal denervation are led by Yaz Daaboul, MD, along with advanced practice providers in the HMH Cardiology Clinic. This care team works collaboratively to assess each patient and determine whether the blood pressure procedure is an appropriate treatment option. Shotwell then performs the procedure itself.
Matthew Shotwell, MD, and Yaz Daaboul, MD, at Harrison Memorial Hospital