SGMC Health in Valdosta has introduced an innovative treatment for patients suffering from resistant high blood pressure, now known as renal denervation (RDN). Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this procedure utilizes the Symplicity Spyral system to target overactive nerves near the kidneys, a key factor in hypertension.
Interventional cardiologists Edward Distler, DO, Luke Seibolt, MD, and Daryoosh Derakhshan, DO, will be performing this minimally invasive procedure. Dr. Distler emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, “Many people struggle with high blood pressure, even when they take multiple medications and make healthy lifestyle changes. This procedure gives us another way to help them bring their numbers down and reduce health risks.”
High blood pressure, a critical health issue, affects nearly half of all adults in the United States. Alarmingly, approximately 80% of those diagnosed do not manage to control their condition effectively. The introduction of RDN has shown promising results in lowering blood pressure and enhancing overall health, as indicated by SGMC Health’s recent press release.
Minimally Invasive Procedure Offers New Hope
The renal denervation procedure is designed to be straightforward and minimally invasive. During the treatment, patients receive light sedation while a small tube is inserted into an artery leading to the kidney. Using targeted energy, the medical team calms the overactive nerves that contribute to high blood pressure. Once the procedure concludes, the tube is withdrawn, leaving no permanent device behind.
“This procedure provides long-lasting benefits without requiring a permanent device in the body,” Dr. Distler noted. SGMC Health is dedicated to integrating the latest medical advancements into its offerings, striving to provide effective options for individuals grappling with hypertension.
SGMC Health stands as the leading institution for heart care in the region, distinguishing itself as the only hospital with a comprehensive open-heart surgery program, a structural heart center, and an advanced heart rhythm program. Recognized as a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, SGMC Health continually enhances its services to ensure patients have access to top-tier treatments close to home.
With high blood pressure being a prevalent issue affecting millions, SGMC Health’s new treatment option marks a significant step forward in the fight against this silent yet dangerous condition. The health system’s commitment to innovation and patient care reinforces its role as a vital resource for those in the community facing challenges with hypertension.
