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Dr. Mark Steiner performs the first commercial renal denervation procedure in Central Florida, using radiofrequency on nerves in the kidney to manage hypertension. PHOTO/ADVENTHEALTH
Local physicians with the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute have performed three groundbreaking procedures—one of them was conducted at Osceola’s very own Celebration Hospital.
Dr. Mark Steiner conducted the first commercial renal denervation, a minimally invasive procedure that can treat high blood pressure that can’t be controlled via optimal therapy, in Central Florida.
AdventHealth officials noted this represents a leap forward in the treatment of cardiovascular conditions for local residents.
“It is always exciting to bring a new technology to our patients and help with a problem that is poorly controlled,” said Steiner. “I treat many patients with severe hypertension and hypertensive heart disease that were not optimally controlled and still suffered long-term effects of poorly controlled blood pressure. With this new technology, we have an additional therapy in our toolbox to help them.”
AdventHealth External Communications Manager Kristi Powers said high blood pressure affects half of all Americans and can lead to serious health complications if left uncontrolled. She said this offers a minimally invasive solution for managing a prevalent condition that can improve the quality of life for countless patients.
Steiner said renal denervation will play an important part in our armamentarium to treat significant hypertension.
“Hypertension is a major cause of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure,” he said. “Many people respond to medical therapy, but some have more malignant hypertension and do not respond or tolerate optimal medical therapy.”
He said this procedure is important to the Central Florida community and Celebration Hospital has helped take the lead in bringing this technology to the patient.
The new procedure disrupts the nervous signals between the brain and the kidneys, which leads to improvement in blood pressure.
“Patients who had no other options previously, now have a new therapy to help control their hypertension and hypertensive heart disease,” said Steiner, who also noted the procedure is designed for patients with malignant hypertension poorly- controlled due to medical non-adherence or intolerance.
There is no age restriction or limitation, but the patient must be healthy enough to undergo a percutaneous procedure with moderate sedation.
“Recovery is quite rapid and similar to a cardiac catheterization procedure,” said Steiner. “The patients have access to their femoral arteries, so they must lay flat after the procedure for a few hours and take it easy with their leg for a few days. All the patients go home the same day and are able to return to their normal activity very quickly.”
He said as this technology becomes more widely utilized, more physicians will obtain training which will allow them to help more patients with this procedure.
“Being first means we can offer our community access to leading treatments that may not be available elsewhere,” said Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute vice president Gordon Wesley, who emphasized the significance of being at the forefront of medical and technological advancements.
“As Osceola County continues its growth, it’s equally imperative to foster clinical growth that matches the needs of this unique community,” he said. “In addition, AdventHealth Celebration and its myriad of experts dedicated to the region will also pursue the upper echelon of cardiovascular care and deliver improved patient outcomes.”
