JSCAI Conversations in Interventional Cardiology: A Blueprint for Building a Renal Denervation Program-A Blueprint for Building a Renal Denervation Program.”

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The panel discusses a Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions manuscript, “A Blueprint for Building a Renal Denervation (RDN) Program,” outlining how institutions can implement RDN for uncontrolled/resistant hypertension. Dr. Tayyab Shah reviews RDN’s mechanism (ablating renal sympathetic nerves) and evidence from sham-controlled trials showing average systolic BP reductions of 5–10 mmHg, with variable response across patients. Key program elements include: forming a CMS-required multidisciplinary hypertension team; creating a patient workflow for diagnosis, secondary-cause evaluation, medication optimization, eligibility imaging, and structured follow-up; ensuring device acquisition and operator training (supervised/proctored case numbers per guidance); and addressing evolving financial and reimbursement considerations as CPT and payer coverage mature. Penn experts describe where RDN fits after guideline-based therapy, especially for patients uncontrolled on multiple drugs or with medication intolerance, and emphasize efficient clinic processes, careful documentation to support preauthorization, and that most interventional cardiologists can learn the procedure without dedicated peripheral training.

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Keywords

renal denervation

resistant hypertension

multidisciplinary hypertension team

sham-controlled trials

patient workflow and follow-up

CPT reimbursement and preauthorization