The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Harrisburg Performs the Hospital’s First Renal Denervation Case
June 30, 2025
On Friday, June 20, 2025, the team at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC Harrisburg performed the hospital’s first renal denervation case. Led by interventional cardiologist, William Bachinsky, MD, this milestone exemplifies the team’s commitment to advancing patient care and innovating treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease.
Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular morbidity in the United States. Despite treatment options including lifestyle changes and medication, control rates remain poor due to medication nonadherence or intolerances; cultural, financial, and psychological factors; as well as true resistant hypertension.
Against this backdrop, catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) has emerged as an innovative approach for the management of resistant hypertension.
During renal denervation, an interventional cardiologist inserts a catheter to disrupt the sympathetic nerves located in the renal arteries. By ablating these nerves, the procedure reduces sympathetic activity, thereby lowering blood pressure. Renal denervation can be performed using radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound, or perivascular injection of neurotoxic agents.
“People living with resistant hypertension have few treatment options, so being able to bring this new approach to our region gives these patients another possibility,” said Dr. William Bachinsky. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the treatment of heart and vascular disease across Pennsylvania.”
After RDN received FDA approval in the United States in 2023, Dr. Bachinsky led research efforts at UPMC Harrisburg to safely and successfully implement this new technology.
“At UPMC Harrisburg, we are continually exploring methods to advance the care we provide our patients,” says Dr. Bachinsky. “Our team of experts is committed to providing patients with advanced care tailored to their needs.”
“Offering patients with a tough-to-manage condition a new treatment option is just another example of the how UPMC brings life changing medicine to our patients,” said Dr. Hemal Gada, president of UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa.
For more information, or to refer a patient to the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central Pa., call 717-231-8555.
