Pictured above: Francis Hegarty and Prof Faisal Sharif, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at GUH and University of Galway.
A Donegal man has become the 50th patient to undergo an innovative new procedure for elevated blood pressure.
Francis Hegarty from Teelin underwent the Renal Denervation (RDN) procedure at Galway University Hospitals – a minimally invasive procedure for patients with high blood pressure who have not responded to medications and lifestyle changes.
Galway University Hospitals were the first hospital in the country to carry out the RDN procedure, and the first internationally to offer RDN as a day-case surgery. This means that patients arrive at the hospital in the morning, have their procedure, and then return home the same day.
Following a number of successful clinical trials at GUH, the RDN procedure went mainstream in 2021.
Just recently, on 30 August, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) updated its guidelines for the management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension incorporating recommendations for the first time on the use of renal denervation to treat various types of hypertension.
Prof Faisal Sharif, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at GUH and University of Galway said: “Approximately 35% of the adult population in Ireland have high blood pressure and around one third of these patients are taking medication but their blood pressure is still uncontrolled. If we are able to control blood pressure adequately overtime than we can reduce the risk of end-organ damage. Even a small reduction in blood pressure can lead to a significant reduction of the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Renal denervation as day case procedure has significant benefits for patients in terms of reduced disruption to their lives, recovery at home and we are not dependent on the availability of beds for an overnight stay which can be a challenge with the current demands on inpatient care, added Prof Sharif.
