Photo by Bailey Hawkins
Doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center–Murrieta last week performed the hospital’s first renal denervation, a minimally invasive procedure that offers relief to patients whose high blood pressure hasn’t responded to other types of treatment.
Doctors performed the procedure using the Symplicity™ Spyral system, an FDA-approved technology that targets overactive nerves near the kidneys that contribute to elevated blood pressure, known as hypertension.
The procedure involves guiding a thin catheter through a blood vessel to reach the arteries near the kidneys. There, the physician uses controlled energy to disrupt the nerve signals contributing to elevated blood pressure. The catheter is then removed, and no implant is left in the body. The treatment is performed under mild sedation and typically requires minimal recovery time.
Niraj Parekh, MD, director of the hospital's Heart and Vascular Center, said the region has many patients who have historically been underserved for their hypertension—many are on several medications, and their hypertension is still not well controlled.
“This is an edge for us to be offering this service to this community and the surrounding region in Southwest Riverside County,” said Parekh, who performed the procedure.
Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, and a large portion of those individuals still struggle to manage the condition despite taking medication or making lifestyle adjustments. Untreated or poorly controlled hypertension can create additional stress on the body’s organs, which increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease.
LLUMC-Murrieta continues to integrate the latest medical advancements into its cardiovascular care programs, combining evidence-based treatments with its mission to provide whole-person, faith-based care.
This new option underscores the hospital’s focus on prevention and proactive disease management. RDN is not a first-line treatment, but for patients who have tried multiple medications and still cannot reach target blood pressure levels, it could offer lasting benefit.
Hypertension, often called the “silent killer,” can cause serious damage to the heart, brain, and kidneys without noticeable symptoms. Regular blood pressure monitoring and management are key to long-term health.
Care teams at LLUMC–Murrieta are committed to providing patients with compassionate, comprehensive, and personalized cardiovascular care. To learn more, please visit murrieta.lluh.org/services/heart-vascular or call 951-290-4533.