Srinagar, November 13: The Department of Cardiology at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) organized a one-day workshop on Renal Denervation Therapy, held at the Cardiac Cath Lab. This therapy, used to manage resistant hypertension, marks the first time such a procedure has been performed in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with only about 40 cases conducted nationwide.The workshop was led by Dr. Praveen Chandra, an internationally recognized expert in interventional cardiology, alongside the SKIMS team, including Prof. Hilal A. Rather (HOD Cardiology), Dr. Amir Rashid, Dr. Imran Hafeez, Dr. Qayoom Yousuf, Dr. Beenish (Anesthesiologist), Syed Bilal (Senior Technologist), and Maajid (Nursing). The procedures were successfully completed, and all patients were discharged without complications.
Prof. Hilal A. Rather explained that Renal Denervation Therapy targets nerve connections around the renal artery involved in maintaining high blood pressure through various pathways. The procedure is considered a last-resort option for patients with resistant hypertension who do not respond to multiple medications. This therapy aims to lower hypertension-related health risks.
SKIMS Director Prof. M. Ashraf Ganie commended the Department of Cardiology for conducting the workshop and noted that this treatment will now be available to patients in the valley, who previously had to seek such specialized care outside the Union Territory.
