Caption: Consultant Cardiologist Prof Faisal Sharif

Galway University Hospitals (GUH) is the first hospital in the country to introduce a new minimally invasive day case procedure to reduce blood pressure in patients. This means that patients arrive in the hospital in the morning, have the procedure, and are able to return home the same day.

Prof Faisal Sharif, Consultant Cardiologist at GUH said, “We are probably the only hospital anywhere carrying out this procedure as a day case. Certainly we are the only hospital in the world carrying out the procedure, which is called renal artery denervation, using a product manufactured by Medtronic here in Galway.

“We are using renal artery denervation to help patients with high uncontrolled blood pressure or hypertension which is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, vascular disease and chronic kidney disease.

Reduce risk

“Approximately 35% of the adult population in Ireland have hypertension 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 we are able to reduce the risk of debilitating side effects. Even a small reduction in blood pressure can lead to a significant reduction of the risk of stroke or heart attack.

“We have participated in a number of clinical trials for renal artery denervation here in Galway that have shown reduction in blood pressure. Based on these results, renal artery denervation is now being carried out as a day case procedure. This has huge benefits for the 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.

“The feedback from our patients who have had renal artery denervation has been incredibly positive with all benefitting from the procedure with improved blood pressure and better future health prospects.”