Houston VA performs its first renal denervation procedure for high blood pressure

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston has performed its first renal denervation procedure, a minimally invasive treatment for high blood pressure, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said.

According to the VA, the procedure uses the Symplicity Spyral system, which guides a thin tube to nerves near the kidneys that can send signals raising blood pressure. The system delivers a brief burst of energy to calm those nerves and is then removed. The department said no implant or permanent hardware is left behind.

The VA said the treatment is not meant to replace diet, exercise or medication, but to assist patients when those measures are not enough. The department said hypertension is the leading cause of death nationwide and affects nearly half of U.S. adults, and that about 80% of people diagnosed struggle to control their blood pressure with medication and lifestyle changes alone.

"MEDVAMC is pleased to be able to offer renal denervation to select Veterans with resistant hypertension," said Dr. Glenn Levine, the center's chief of cardiology. He said uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage organs over time and cause heart failure, kidney failure and strokes.

According to the VA, the first procedure was performed by Dr. Jing Liu and the medical center's cardiac catheterization lab team.

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/612