LAS VEGAS (May 5, 2025) – Nevada Heart and Vascular Center in Las Vegas recently treated the first patient in Nevada to undergo an innovative new procedure that helps resistant hypertension patients with high blood pressure.
Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system involves a minimally invasive procedure that targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. The procedure is approved for use as an adjunctive treatment in patients with persistently high blood pressure (or hypertension) when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications are not adequately controlling blood pressure.
Hypertension is the single largest contributor to death, 1 and affects about 50% of U.S. adults.2 Of the U.S. adults who are aware of their hypertension, about 80% do not have it under control. 3 In Nevada, 34% of adults report being told by a health professional that they have high blood pressure.4
The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure, 5-7 which can lower serious health risks.
“High blood pressure is a significant problem for patients all around the world, including for many Nevadans,” said Tony Alamo, MD., chief physician executive and chief medical officer of Nevada Heart and Vascular Center. “While medication and lifestyle changes are helpful, a significant number of patients still struggle to manage their condition. This new FDA-approved Symplicity blood pressure procedure offers a breakthrough option by providing continuous blood pressure reduction without the need for a permanent implant. We’re proud to be the first to bring this innovative technology to Nevada and are excited about the future of hypertension care for people here in our community.”
Dr. Branavan Umakanthan, DO., FACC., FSCA.I., who performed the first Symplicity procedure in Nevada at University Medical Center, is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, interventional cardiology, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography. He emphasized the importance of having more tools to manage hypertension:
“For patients who’ve exhausted other options without success, the Symplicity procedure offers new hope,” he said. “I see firsthand how frustrating and discouraging it can be for people who are taking multiple medications, watching their diet and making lifestyle changes but are unable get their blood pressure under control. This option gives us a way to help those patients in a meaningful and lasting way. It is going to change the way we treat high blood pressure, and I’m proud to be part of bringing this innovation to Southern Nevada.”
How it works
After mild sedation, the doctor inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney. The doctor then administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind.
If you or someone you know is experiencing high or difficult-to-control blood pressure, talk to your doctor to see if this procedure may be an option. Visit this link to learn more.
About Nevada Heart and Vascular Center
Nevada Heart and Vascular Center is Southern Nevada’s leading provider of comprehensive cardiac and vascular care. With a commitment to excellence, its world-class team delivers advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge technology and personalized treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of its patients. Its experienced cardiologists prioritize collaboration and clear communication – because your health deserves nothing less. Nevada Heart and Vascular Center is dedicated to helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes with compassion, expertise and innovation. Visit NevadaHeart.com or call (702) 227-3422 (CARDIAC).
1. WHO. Hypertension fact sheet. September 13, 2019. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension. Accessed February 15, 2022. 2. Kandzari DE, Böhm M, Mahfoud F, et al. Effect of renal denervation on blood pressure in the presence of antihypertensive drugs: 6-month efficacy and safety results from the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED proof-of-concept randomised trial. The Lancet. 2018 Jun 9;391(10137):2346-2355.
2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General; 2020.
3. Facts about Hypertension. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm. Accessed August 10, 2023.
4. America’s Health Rankings analysis of CDC, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2025. Available at: https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/Hypertension/NV
5. Kandzari DE, Böhm M, Mahfoud F, et al. Effect of renal denervation on blood pressure in the presence of antihypertensive drugs: 6-month efficacy and safety results from the SPYRAL HTN-ON MED proof-of-concept randomised trial. The Lancet. 2018 Jun 9;391(10137):2346-2355.
6. Böhm M, Kario K, Kandzari DE, et al. Efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED Pivotal): a multicentre, randomized, sham-controlled trial. The Lancet 2020; Published online March 29, 2020. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30554-7.
7. Townsend RR, Mahfoud F, Kandzari DE, et al. Catheter-based renal denervation in patients with uncontrolled hypertension in the absence of antihypertensive medications (SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED): a randomised, sham-controlled, proof-of-concept trial. The Lancet. 2017;390:2160–2170.
8. Ettehad D, Emdin CA, Kiran A, et al. Blood pressure lowering for prevention of cardiovascular disease and death: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet. 2016;387:957-67.
