Huntington Hospital Performs Its First Procedure For Uncontrolled Blood Pressure

HUNTINGTON, NY — Huntington Hospital has performed its first renal denervation procedure, introducing a new treatment option for some Long Island patients whose high blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite medication, hospital officials said.

The minimally invasive procedure was performed in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization laboratory on a 46-year-old Suffolk County man, according to Northwell Health, which operates the hospital.

Renal denervation is intended for patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, a condition in which blood pressure remains elevated despite the use of multiple medications.

The procedure targets overactive nerves surrounding the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys and can contribute to persistently high blood pressure, hospital officials said.

During the procedure, a physician accesses the patient’s vascular system through a small puncture in the leg and guides a thin catheter into the renal arteries. The catheter then delivers controlled energy to disrupt the surrounding nerves.

The treatment is designed to complement, rather than replace, blood pressure medications and lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise.

“This first case reflects Huntington Hospital’s commitment to bringing innovative cardiovascular care to our Long Island community,” hospital President Dr. Nick Fitterman said. “Uncontrolled hypertension is a leading cause of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure. By introducing renal denervation in our cath lab, we are expanding local treatment options for patients who have struggled to manage their blood pressure.”

Interventional cardiologist Dr. Gaurav Rao led the hospital’s first procedure.

“Renal denervation adds a much-needed option for people whose blood pressure remains elevated despite taking multiple medications,” Rao said. “Our priority is careful candidate selection and close coordination with primary care physicians and hypertension specialists across Long Island.”

Rao said most patients recover quickly and can return home the same day. Patients are then monitored to determine whether the treatment produces lasting benefits.

Patients considered for renal denervation undergo a comprehensive evaluation to confirm that they have resistant hypertension and to assess their overall cardiovascular risk, according to the hospital.

The new program is part of Huntington Hospital’s effort to expand cardiovascular services for patients in Suffolk County and eastern Nassau County.

Hospital officials encourage people with difficult-to-control blood pressure to speak with their physicians about whether they may be candidates for the procedure.

“Bringing a new therapy like renal denervation to patients requires meticulous training, multidisciplinary teamwork and a culture of quality,” Fitterman said. “I’m incredibly proud of our cath lab team, cardiologists and clinical leaders for making this possible.”