Hypertension affects nearly half of all U.S. adults.* In Brooklyn, there are more than 900,000 individuals living with hypertension, or 29% of the population. Though common, it comes with heightened risk for serious health conditions, like heart attack, heart failure, and stroke; hypertension was a primary or contributing factor in more than 685,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2022.
Despite the wide availability of antihypertensive medications, primary care physicians know how challenging it can be for some patients to gain lasting control over hypertension. They’re not alone. According to the CDC, about three-quarters of people with high blood pressure do not have their condition under control. In Brooklyn, roughly 45% of individuals with diagnosed hypertension are not being treated to control their blood pressure and/or actively managing it.
“High blood pressure is a significant health problem, and for many of our patients with this condition, medication and lifestyle changes don’t provide enough control,” said Dr. Sergey Ayzenberg, Associate Director of Interventional Cardiology, Maimonides Health.
For Resistant Hypertension, a Cutting-Edge Treatment
The Maimonides Heart & Vascular clinical team, led by Dr. Sergey Ayzenberg (center), who completed Brooklyn’s first minimally invasive renal denervation procedure.
Maimonides Heart & Vascular Institute is bringing a new option to patients in Brooklyn. We are now the first hospital in Brooklyn to offer a groundbreaking renal denervation (RDN) procedure to treat high blood pressure. Renal denervation targets the sympathetic nervous system, which plays a significant role in blood pressure regulation. The procedure involves the disruption of the renal nerves, which are part of the autonomic nervous system, reducing sympathetic nervous system activity and ultimately lowering blood pressure, especially for those with resistant hypertension.
In tandem with medications and lifestyle modifications, this helps achieve more optimal blood pressure levels.
There are currently three approaches to renal denervation: radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound, or neurotoxin injection.** The Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation (RDN) system, approved by the FDA in 2023, is the first catheter-based approach using radiofrequency energy. The minimally invasive procedure is approved for use as a complementary treatment in patients with hypertension when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure.
“The renal denervation procedure can provide patients with a blood pressure reduction benefit that is ‘always on’ and doesn’t require a permanent implant,” said Dr. Ayzenberg. “The effect on the patient is similar to the blood pressure reduction of a single medication.”
This reduction can have significant health benefits. A 10mmHg drop in blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk for conditions associated with hypertension, including a 20% reduction in risk of major cardiovascular events, a 27% reduction in risk of stroke, and a 28% reduction in risk of heart failure, among other effects. ***
Renal denervation can be especially effective in patients with resistant hypertension, patients on multiple medications, or patients who cannot tolerate any or multiple medications. Lack of adherence to medication and lifestyle changes can be a significant hurdle on the path to hypertension control, highlighting the need for alternative treatment strategies like RDN.
An Experienced Cardiac Team with a Record of Excellence
Maimonides is one of a select few hospitals in the region offering the Symplicity Spyral™ RDN system, and our track record of excellence in both interventional cardiology and minimally invasive surgery is translating to success in this new, cutting-edge procedure. We have consistently achieved top outcomes in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) — the only hospital in New York State to achieve better PCI outcomes than the statewide average for 11 years in a row (2006–2018) — which speaks to our expertise in handling complex cardiovascular cases.
“Our interventional cardiology team is second to none,” said Dr. Ayzenberg. “We’ve built a program that not only leads the region in outcomes, but also sets a standard for patient care. Renal denervation is just one of the many advanced procedures we offer, and we’re committed to providing our patients with the best possible treatment options.”
In addition to our procedural expertise, Maimonides offers comprehensive care for hypertensive patients. From initial diagnosis to long-term management, we ensure that each patient receives individualized care tailored to their specific needs. This multidisciplinary approach, combined with our state-of-the-art facilities, makes us the ideal choice for patients considering renal denervation or other advanced cardiac services.
“We are looking forward to the future of hypertension care and are proud to be at the forefront, offering innovative solutions and peace of mind to the people of Brooklyn,” said Dr. Ayzenberg.
For more information on Maimonides Heart & Vascular Institute, visit https://maimo.org/treatments-care/heart-vascular-institute/. To refer a patient, call (718) HRT-BEAT (718-478-2328).
* https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
** https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(22)00647-3/fulltext
*** https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)01225-8/fulltext#:~:text=Every%2010%20mm%20Hg%20reduction%20in%20systolic%20blood,significant%2013%25%20reduction%20in%20all-cause%20mortality%20%280%C2%B787%2C%200%C2%B784%E2%80%930%C2%B791%29.
