Local doctor introduces cutting-edge medical procedure in Idaho

BLACKFOOT — A local doctor has introduced a new medical procedure to Idaho.

Dr. David Shelley, vascular and interventional specialist at Bingham Memorial Hospital, performed a Recor Paradise procedure on March 27 for the first time in the Gem State. This is a procedure that aims to lower high blood pressure in a patient who has proven resistant to medications.

“Lowering blood pressure has the effect of decreasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney disease – things that high blood pressure can make worse,” Shelley said.

This is done by inserting a catheter into an artery in the patient’s groin, which is fed into the renal artery (which supplies blood to the kidneys). At the end of the catheter, a 3 to 8 millimeter balloon inflates and adheres to the walls of the artery.

Once inflated, ultrasound energy resonates through the walls of the artery to the sympathetic nerves. This deters the nerves from transmitting signals to increase blood pressure.

“So by denervating the sympathetic nerves that surround the outside, it has been shown to significantly decrease blood pressure,” Shelley said.

The procedure has been shown to be safe and effective with four different studies and more than 500 patients, Shelley says.

For people with resistant hypertension, which is high blood pressure that is not lowered by medications, this procedure can bring them back to healthy levels. When the patient’s blood pressure finally decreases, their overall health and quality of life improve.

“You’re going to significantly reduce the incidence of stroke, coronary heart disease and risks such as kidney disease simply by maintaining your blood pressure,” Shelley said.

When Shelley heard about it, he contacted the company about bringing it to Idaho.

“I found out about this, I contacted the company and they knew about me and we developed a relationship and thought we would handle the first case here,” Shelley said.

Now that the program is available, Shelley says those interested can make an appointment to see if they qualify.

“We’ll ask a few questions to screen patients before we waste their time and get them hoping for something that really isn’t meant for them,” Shelley said.

The consultation may require an ultrasound or CT scan to determine if the patient’s kidneys are compatible with the equipment.

Although Shelley believes this treatment will become more common in the future, Recor is careful about which doctors receive the equipment. With 20 years of experience in the field, Recor saw Shelley as a qualified doctor to bring the treatment to the region.

“They make sure it is done by experienced doctors. They don’t want just anyone to do it,” Shelley said.