Midwest Cardiovascular Institute is First in the Midwest to Use Symplicity System to Treat High Blood Pressure
NAPERVILLE, IL –Dr. Mark Goodwin and Dr. Anand Ramanathan, interventional cardiologists at Midwest Cardiovascular Institute (MCI), are 
the first in the Midwest to use the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system to treat patients with high blood pressure. The procedure took place on December 20 at Edward Hospital, part of Endeavor Health℠.
Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system by Medtronic 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 additional treatment in patients with high blood pressure when lifestyle changes and anti-hypertensive 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)
The Symplicity blood pressure procedure is clinically proven to help reduce high blood pressure, (4-6) which can lower serious health risks. (7) 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.
“High blood pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease,” said Dr. Goodwin. “Patients with high blood pressure or hypertension now have a new, innovative option when drugs and lifestyle changes aren’t enough. It is important to work closely with your cardiologist to manage blood pressure.”
- 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.
- 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.
- Facts about Hypertension. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm. Accessed August 10, 2023.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.