Galway University Hospitals (GUH) has become the first hospital in Ireland to introduce a new day case procedure to reduce blood pressure in patients.
This means that patients arrive in the hospital in the morning for the procedure, and are able to return home the same day.
Prof Faisal Sharif, Consultant Cardiologist, said that GUH is probably the only hospital anywhere carrying out this procedure as a day case.
“Certainly we are the only hospital in the world carrying out the procedure, which is called renal artery denervation, using a product manufactured by Medtronic here in Galway,” he said.
“We are using renal artery denervation to help patients with high uncontrolled blood pressure or hypertension which is a major risk factor for stroke, heart attack, vascular disease and chronic kidney disease.”
Approximately 35% of the adult population in Ireland have hypertension and around one third of these patients are taking medication but their blood pressure is still uncontrolled.
“If we are able to control blood pressure we are able to reduce the risk of debilitating side effects. Even a small reduction in blood pressure can lead to a significant reduction of the risk of stroke or heart attack,” added Prof Sharif.
The hospital is currently carrying out one or two of these procedures every month to help patients control their blood pressure.
Patients can contact the team directly to enquire about the procedure by calling Eileen Coen on 086 1455568.
Patients are then asked to wear a blood pressure monitor for 24 hours, and other checks are carried out to make sure that they are suitable for the procedure.
“The feedback from our patients who have had renal artery denervation has been incredibly positive with all benefitting from the procedure with improved blood pressure and better future health prospects.”
 has become the first hospital in Ireland to introduce a new day case procedure to reduce blood){kind=link}