BayCare Brings New Procedure to Treat High Blood Pressure to the Tampa Bay Area

BayCare’s Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor and Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater are participating in trials for a new treatment for certain patients with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. 

The treatment, known as renal denervation (RDN), targets nerves near the kidneys that can become overactive and cause elevated blood pressure. Mease Countryside Hospital treated its first patient on March 19. 

“We are looking forward to the future of hypertension care and are proud to be offering innovative solutions to the people of Tampa Bay,” said BayCare Medical Group Interventional Cardiologist Parag Patel, MD. “We always seek to provide the latest technological innovations if they can improve patient care. I believe RDN is one of those innovations that can improve the long-term health of many of our patients with hypertension.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure and only about one in four have it under control. Studies show that high blood pressure is directly associated with increased risks of heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and death.

To perform the RDN procedure, the doctor inserts a very thin tube into the artery leading to the kidney and administers energy to calm the excessive activity of the nerves connected to the kidney. The tube is removed, leaving no implant behind. The patient is under a mild sedation during the procedure and is expected to go home on the same day. 

“For people with hypertension, RDN is an option when lifestyle changes and antihypertensive medications do not adequately control it,” added Dr. Patel. “The procedure can provide patients with a blood pressure reduction benefit that is ‘always on’ and doesn’t require a permanent implant and it can also help patients regain their peace of mind.”

The clinical trials’ procedure at Mease Countryside Hospital and Morton Plant Hospital use the Symplicity Spyral™ RDN system that was recently approved by the FDA. Soon, the procedure will be available at BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa and Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven.