New procedure gives patients in New Smyrna Beach faster access to answers for complex blood pressure disorders

When a 27-year-old patient visited her primary care physician with dangerously high blood pressure and a small adrenal tumor, the situation was urgent.

Recognizing the complexity of her condition, her physician referred her to the new Interventional Radiology Clinic at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. The care team suspected the problem wasn’t the heart—it was the adrenal glands, two tiny structures that can silently drive blood pressure to life-threatening levels.

To find the cause, doctors turned to a diagnostic test called Adrenal Vein Sampling (AVS). By collecting small blood samples directly from each adrenal gland, the test helps pinpoint whether one gland—or both—is producing excess hormones. The results can mean the difference between targeted surgery and years of unnecessary medication.

“This procedure gives us a way to see what’s really happening inside the adrenal glands rather than guessing from lab work or imaging alone,” said Dr. Sivaram Pillai, the interventional radiologist who performed the test. “For patients who have been living with severe or resistant high blood pressure, these answers can be life-changing.”

Until recently, patients in Volusia County would have had to travel to a major academic hospital hours away to receive this level of testing.

Now, thanks to the hospital’s growing investment in advanced imaging and interventional radiology, that expertise is available at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. The hospital’s Interventional Radiology clinic cares for patients with a wide range of conditions—from cancer to blood clots and everything between—bringing advanced, minimally invasive care options to the community.

“This advancement reflects our commitment to offering world-class care right here, close to home,” said Dr. Dennis Hernandez, CEO of AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. “Our Interventional Radiology clinic is a great example of how we’re expanding access to highly specialized procedures—from complex diagnostic tests like adrenal vein sampling to treatments for cancer, blood clots, and more. When a patient walks through our doors—whether through the ER or for a scheduled procedure—they deserve the same level of expert, compassionate care they would find anywhere in the country.”