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Monday, October 20, 2025 San Juan Regional Medical Center Offering New, Minimally Invasive Technology to Help Control High Blood Pressure

San Juan Regional Medical Center is proud to announce a new minimally invasive treatment option for patients with high blood pressure. Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Faraz Sandhu performed the first Symplicity Spyral™ renal denervation procedure in the state of New Mexico at San Juan Regional Medical Center and is now offering this procedure to certain patients who qualify.

This FDA-approved procedure targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause high blood pressure. It is approved for use as an adjunctive treatment in patients with hypertension when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control blood pressure. The procedure takes place in San Juan Regional Medical Center’s Cardiac Cath Lab. 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.

“As leaders in cardiovascular care, our integrated team of specialists continuously explore the latest treatment options that support our patient-centered approach to care. Since high blood pressure is a prominent health concern, we are excited to offer patients a new treatment option to potentially manage their condition,” said Jason Rounds, President and CEO of San Juan Regional Medical Center.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant problem for patients all around the world and is the single largest contributor to death,1 affecting about 50 percent of U.S. adults.2 Of the U.S. adults who are aware of their hypertension, about 80 percent 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

“The Symplicity blood pressure procedure can provide patients with a blood pressure reduction benefit that is ‘always on’ and doesn’t require a permanent implant – it can also help patients regain their peace of mind,” said Tammie Herrera, Cardiac Cath Lab supervisor. “We are pleased to have treated our first patient with this new technology, and we look forward to the future of hypertension care by offering innovative solutions to our community.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing high or difficult to control blood pressure, talk to your doctor to see if the Symplicity blood pressure procedure is a possible treatment.

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San Juan Regional Medical Center is a non-profit, acute care hospital and Level III Trauma Center with 198 licensed beds. Better is our mission, improving lives through personalized health and care. As a sole community provider in San Juan County, we deliver a remarkable range of highly personalized and specialized healthcare services to the people of the entire Four Corners region. San Juan Regional Medical Center is accredited by DNV. More information is available at sanjuanregional.com.

 

 

  1. World Health Organization. Hypertension fact sheet. 13 September 2019. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension
  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 randomized trial. The Lancet. 2018 Jun 9;391(10137):2346-2355.2.
  3. 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)30554-7.3.
  4. 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 randomized, sham-controlled, proof-of-concept trial. The Lancet. 2017;390:2160 –2170.
  5. Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines. Hypertension. 2018;71(6):e13−e115. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065. Epub 2017 November 13.
  6. Mayo Clinic. High blood pressure dangers: Hypertension’s effects on your body. January 14, 2022.

 

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