Jennie Edmundson is 1st in Council Bluffs to offer renal denervation

Members of the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital cardiac catheterization lab team have reached a major milestone.

Earlier this month, they performed the hospital’s first renal denervation procedure – a major advancement for cardiovascular care in Council Bluffs.

After years of preparation, Jennie Edmundson is now the only hospital in the community offering this minimally invasive therapy – which targets the kidney’s role in regulating blood pressure. The procedure involves using a catheter to deliver controlled energy to nerves near the kidneys. That energy damages the nerves, safely preventing them from signaling the body to increase blood pressure.

The team’s achievement reflects the vision and dedication of interventional cardiologists Ann Narmi, MD, and Robert Armbruster, MD, along with the exceptional skill of cath lab teams across Methodist Health System. Together, they’re ensuring patients can receive specialized care close to home.

“Renal denervation can dramatically help reduce the risk of major cardiac events, allowing us to help patients reach their long-term goals and get the most out of life,” Dr. Armbruster said. “This is truly an innovative step forward for the entire community, and I’m so proud of the people who helped make it possible.”