How Interventional Cardiologists can Partner with CV Service Line Administrators to put Together a Successful Business Plan to Launch a Renal Denervation (RDN) Program-How Interventional Cardiologists can Partner with CV Service Line Administrators to put Together a Successful Business Plan to Launch a Renal Denervation (RDN) Program

How Interventional Cardiologists can Partner with CV Service Line Administrators to put Together a Successful Business Plan to Launch a Renal Denervation (RDN) Program

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Video Summary

The discussion centers on launching renal denervation (RDN) programs for resistant hypertension, emphasizing the crucial partnership between interventional cardiologists and hospital administrators to build sustainable, multidisciplinary initiatives. Despite past trial setbacks, recent FDA approvals and sham-controlled studies in 2023 have demonstrated RDN's safety and durable benefits for patients with uncontrolled hypertension who have failed lifestyle and medication therapy. Speakers from St. Vincent's Heart Center and Beth Israel Deaconess share their practical experiences establishing hypertension centers that integrate specialists across cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, and sleep medicine. They stress the importance of a patient-centric approach to gain institutional support and align with healthcare system goals, highlighting potential volume growth and service line benefits. Challenges include current reimbursement complexities, especially with Medicare Advantage plans, and the lack of specific CPT codes and physician incentives. However, anticipated national coverage decisions and evolving guidelines provide optimism. Organizing effective programs requires clear referral pathways, nurse navigators, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure thorough evaluation and ongoing management. Beyond clinical impact, RDN programs contribute to institutional reputation, talent retention, and addressing healthcare disparities. The dialogue concludes by noting RDN’s future potential in cardiovascular outcomes, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, urging early program development to remain competitive and enhance patient care.

Keywords

renal denervation

resistant hypertension

interventional cardiology

multidisciplinary hypertension programs

FDA approvals 2023

reimbursement challenges

patient-centric approach