Santa Cruz, Calif. (March 26, 2025) – Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has successfully performed the first Barostim™ implant in the region, marking a major advancement in heart failure treatment. 

The device uses the body’s nervous system to help treat heart failure by sending signals to the brain to improve heart function. This pioneering device offers new hope for patients who are unable to get relief from medications alone.

This innovative procedure was led by renowned Dominican Hospital vascular surgeon Dr. Ruby Lo and supported by Dominican’s exceptional clinical teams, ensuring the highest standard of care. By bringing this cutting-edge therapy to the region, Dominican Hospital continues to lead the way in expanding life-changing treatment options for heart failure patients.

Unlike other heart failure device therapies, this procedure contains no hardware. It works by electrically stimulating baroreceptors – natural sensors located in the wall of the carotid artery – that tell the nervous system how to regulate heart, kidney and vascular function. These effects reduce the heart’s workload and help it pump more efficiently, helping to restore balance to the nervous system and improve the symptoms of heart failure. 

 “It’s exciting to be part of an innovative approach that not only enhances heart function but also improves overall well-being,” said Dr. Ruby Lo, vascular surgeon at Dignity Health Dominican Hospital. “Seeing patients regain their quality of life is what truly makes this advancement so meaningful.” 

Dominican Hospital’s nationally recognized heart and vascular program offers the most comprehensive cardiac services in the Monterey Bay area, and is the only cardiac emergency hospital in Santa Cruz County. With advanced diagnostics, innovative treatment options, and comprehensive rehabilitation services, the cardiac team is dedicated to caring for your heart. From routine checkups to lifesaving procedures, they provide exceptional care   with compassion.

“This achievement is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our medical team, and a reflection of our unwavering mission to provide the best possible care for the communities and patients we serve,” said Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, MD, President of Dominican Hospital. 

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition where the heart muscle cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs for blood and oxygen. Essentially, the heart struggles to keep up with its workload. Individuals with heart failure often experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the lower extremities, weakness, and a reduced ability to perform physical activities. In the United States, according to the Journal of Cardiac Failure, heart failure affects approximately 6.7 million adults, with projections indicating an increase to 8.7 million by 2030. Moreover, heart failure is associated with a four-fold increased risk of death and a six to nine times higher risk of sudden cardiac death.

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About Dignity Health California 

Dignity Health California is a nonprofit network of over 9000 physicians, more than 35,000 employees, 29 acute care hospitals, and 200-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics. Dignity Health California provides award-winning care to communities in five primary markets across the state: North State, Sacramento, Central Valley, Central Coast, and Southern California. 

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit Catholic healthcare organizations, dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Learn more at DignityHealth.org and CommonSpirit.org.