A minimally invasive outpatient procedure now offers the potential to significantly reduce the need for powerful blood pressure medications, which are often accompanied by unwanted side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or drowsiness. After undergoing the newly approved renal denervation procedure, this became a reality for one Scripps Health patient.

The procedure, which uses tiny bursts of heat (radiofrequency ablation) to target nerves in the kidney arteries that can worsen uncontrolled hypertension, was performed by Dr. Curtiss Stinis, an interventional cardiologist at Scripps Clinic. Following its FDA approval in November, Dr. Stinis became the first physician in Southern California to use Medtronic’s Symplicity Spyral system commercially.

“High blood pressure affects nearly half of all U.S. adults, or 120 million people,” Stinis said. “Having more tools to manage this condition is critical, especially since three-quarters of those affected still experience elevated blood pressure.”

Hypertension is responsible for over 670,000 deaths annually in the United States, with an economic impact of more than $130 billion.

During the 45-minute procedure at Scripps Clinic Anderson Medical Pavilion, Dr. Stinis threaded a catheter through a blood vessel in the patient’s leg, reaching the renal arteries in the kidneys. There, targeted radiofrequency bursts disabled nerves without damaging the artery walls, reducing blood pressure. The patient was able to return home the same day.

Though renal denervation may not eliminate the need for medication, most patients require fewer drugs after the procedure. However, it is currently only approved for patients who do not respond to medication or cannot tolerate its side effects.

Scripps physicians are also involved in a follow-up clinical trial, which could expand the technology’s approval to a broader group of patients. Meanwhile, limited insurance coverage remains a barrier for some, but this may change as the technology becomes more widely adopted.