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Adults who are struggling to manage their high blood pressure with medications are invited to participate in a clinical study.
Researchers at Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine are conducting a study called TARGET BP I to discover if a new, minimally invasive procedure can help treat high blood pressure.
Adults 18-80 who are struggling to control their high blood pressure with 2-5 medications may be eligible to participate.
Compensation is provided for eligible participants.
Study overview
Who can volunteer
- Adults 18-80 years old
- Have high blood pressure (upper value greater than 150mmHg) despite taking 2-5 blood pressure medications
- Have not had removal of one kidney
- Have not donated a kidney
- Do not have Type 1 diabetes or severe Type 2 diabetes
- Able to travel to Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa., for study visits
- Additional criteria may apply
Keeping volunteers safe
We are taking several steps to keep research volunteers safe. This includes:
- Conducting research visits remotely (from home) when possible
- Practicing social distancing and using appropriate personal protective equipment (masks, face shields, gloves) during in-person research visits
- Screening before all in-person research visits, including temperature checks for all employees and volunteers
- Sanitation of all research spaces and equipment
Study details
What will I do in this study?
When the nerves around the kidney arteries do not work properly, or over-signal, it can contribute to high blood pressure.
The goal of TARGET BP I is to see if a new, minimally invasive procedure can help reduce high blood pressure by deactivating specific nerves surrounding the kidney.
This procedure uses an investigational product called the Peregrine System™ Kit. Performed under mild sedation and through a small incision in the groin, the procedure deactivates the nerves surrounding the kidney arteries.
Patients will continue taking their high blood pressure medications throughout the clinical study.
Compensation is provided for participating in this study.
Meet the team
Umar Farooq, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Nephrology
Explore Dr. Farooq’s research
Ian Gilchrist, MD
Professor, Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute
Explore Dr. Gilchrist’s research
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For more information
Please reach out to the study coordinator, Paula Trump, RN:
- Phone: 717-531-5967
- Email: HVI_Research@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
About the study sponsor
Ablative Solutions, Inc. is the sponsor of the TARGET BP I clinical study. The company has developed the Peregrine System Kit, a form of catheter-based renal denervation, which will be evaluated for the treatment of hypertension in this study.