The Kidney & Hypertension Group

09/09/2025

Three months ago at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Stewart Andrews, age 62, received a genetically edited pig kidney. After years of dialysis, the surgery gave him a chance to live without the exhausting routine of treatments.
Today, Andrews is back at work and even returned to his old dialysis clinic to give others hope. Doctors made early adjustments to his medications, but he continues to do well. “If this helps in any small way, it will be worth it for me,” he says.
Now the FDA has approved large clinical trials to expand this breakthrough. Companies such as eGenesis and United Therapeutics will transplant gene-edited pig kidneys into patients on dialysis who are waiting for a human organ. With over 100,000 Americans on the transplant list, most needing a kidney, even one year off dialysis would be considered a major advance.
Andrews’ journey shows how close science is to changing the future of kidney transplantation.

09/08/2025

Kidney Health Breakthrough from the ERA Congress
At the recent 62nd European Renal Association Congress, researchers shared results from the CONFIDENCE trial and the findings have the kidney world buzzing.
In over 800 adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes, the combination of two therapies—finerenone and empagliflozin—proved far more powerful than either drug alone.
:Results:
• Combination therapy reduced kidney damage markers (UACR) by 52% in just 6 months.
• This was an additional 29–32% improvement compared to each drug on its own.
• 70% of patients reached the recommended target for lowering protein in the urine—a major step in protecting kidneys and hearts.
What this means: The future of kidney care may lie in smart combinations of therapies that work together to slow disease and protect overall health.
At The Kidney & Hypertension Group of South Florida, our nephrologist Dr. Gabriel Valle and Dr. Carlos Bejar stay at the forefront of global kidney research. By keeping up with cutting-edge findings like this, we ensure our patients benefit from the most advanced strategies to preserve kidney function, control blood pressure, and protect the heart.
Because your kidneys deserve world-class expertise and that’s exactly what we deliver.

09/07/2025

At the 62nd American Heart Association Scientific Meeting, researchers shared encouraging results from the FigHTN Phase 2 trial of baxdrostat, a new medication that works by lowering the hormone aldosterone.
Key Findings: ▫️When added to current treatments, baxdrostat lowered systolic blood pressure by about 5% in patients with chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled hypertension.
▫️It reduced protein loss in the urine by 55% compared to placebo — a strong marker of kidney and heart protection.
▫️This suggests baxdrostat may help delay kidney disease progression and improve long-term outcomes.
While these results are still preliminary, they highlight exciting progress in the fight against uncontrolled high blood pressure — one of the biggest drivers of kidney disease worldwide.
At The Kidney & Hypertension Group of South Florida, P.A., both Dr. Gabriel Valle and Dr. Carlos Bejar are Board Certified Hypertension Specialists—a rare distinction held by only ~1,500 doctors worldwide. Our team stays at the forefront of groundbreaking research like this to bring next level kidney and blood pressure care to our community.

09/04/2025

Important Kidney Health Update
A new study published in BMC Nephrology has raised important concerns about the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)—commonly prescribed for stomach issues—among people with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Researchers followed more than 80,000 patients in Taiwan and found that:
• CKD patients on PPIs had a higher risk of kidney disease progressing to dialysis (end-stage renal disease).
• They also faced a higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared with patients taking H2 blockers (like famotidine).
• Certain PPIs, such as omeprazole and esomeprazole, were linked to particularly high risks.The takeaway: not all acid reflux medications are equal when it comes to kidney safety. Choosing the right option matters.
At The Kidney & Hypertension Group of South Florida, our doctors—Dr. Gabriel Valle and Dr. Carlos Bejar—are experts in navigating exactly these kinds of studies. By staying on top of emerging research, they help patients make informed choices to protect their kidneys, slow disease progression, and prevent decline.
Your kidneys deserve next-level care, guided by doctors who know how to balance the risks and benefits of every medication. That’s what sets us apart.

09/03/2025

Kidney disease affects nearly 700 million people worldwide, yet researchers are discovering powerful new ways to fight back.
A major breakthrough is happening in understanding glycosylation—a tiny chemical change to proteins that can completely alter how our cells function. Think of it as the hidden language of the kidney. When this “code” goes wrong, it can trigger or worsen conditions like:
• IgA Nephropathy (IgAN): faulty protein sugar patterns spark immune attacks.
• Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD): high blood sugar disrupts protein balance, leading to scarring.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD): abnormal protein sugars accelerate cyst growth.
• Kidney cancer: tumor cells hijack these pathways to spread faster.
The hopeful news? Researchers are showing that decoding and correcting this hidden code could unlock earlier diagnosis and new treatments—turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s cures.
At The Kidney & Hypertension Group, our doctors are always on the front line of research, bringing the latest science in kidney health to our patients. We believe the future of nephrology lies in precision medicine—and we’re committed to making sure our patients benefit from every advance. (Study published DOI: 10.1093/pcmedi/pbaf017 on July 11, 2025, in Precision Clinical Medicine)
Hope for tomorrow starts with knowledge today. ✨

ART-

09/02/2025

Welcoming September at the Kidney Group! 🎃

09/01/2025

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from The Kidney & Hypertension Group! Today we celebrate the hard work, dedication, and spirit of everyone who keeps our communities strong.
As proud University of Miami faculty in Nephrology, our both Dr. Valle and Dr. Bejar carry that same energy and commitment into the fight for kidney health every single day. Just like the ’Canes on the field, our team is relentless in pursuit of excellence for our patients. 🏈
Wishing you a safe and restful Labor Day weekend filled with gratitude, family, and health.

08/31/2025

Join our team for the National Kidney Foundation of Florida Fort Lauderdale Kidney Walk! It will be held Saturday, November 15th at beautiful Plantation’s Central Park! Sign up at link below! 🧡🩵

Help support National Kidney Foundation today!

08/31/2025

This necklace has a story.
When Sarah stepped forward to donate her kidney to her friend, she gave more than an organ—she gave the ultimate gift of life. 💚
Wanting to express her gratitude in a lasting way, her friend designed a one-of-a-kind necklace with LeahJessica Jewelry. The piece is inscribed with “GBS” (God Bless Sarah) and set with a ruby, the stone of the month she received her transplant.
Now, each time she wears it, she carries not only a symbol of her survival but also a daily reminder of Sarah’s courage, generosity, and love. 🌹
This story reminds us that the bonds of friendship and the power of selflessness can shine brighter than any jewel.

08/29/2025

Olympic champion Jess Fox is showing us that true strength goes far beyond the water.
After a whirlwind few weeks, Jess, Australia’s legendary canoe slalom and kayak champion, underwent surgery to remove a kidney tumor. While complications followed, her spirit hasn’t wavered. She says she’s left with “a couple of gnarly new scars, a bit less kidney, and a whole lot more toughness.”
With six Olympic medals—including three golds—Jess is one of Australia’s greatest athletes. But today, her fight off the course is what inspires the world most. She’s focusing on recovery, healing, and preparing to return to the water she loves.
♥️We’re cheering for you, Jess. Your courage, grit, and positivity remind us all what it means to be a champion on and off the podium.

08/28/2025

Well, Dr. Valle’s Thursday started off great! Ginger, our favorite apricot poodle is here, and guess what…..her daddy’s labs are PERFECT! 🐩🤗

08/26/2025

🌟 Another Transplant Success Story! 🌟
We are thrilled to share that Diego, a patient of Dr. Carlos Bejar, received a life-saving kidney transplant at the University of Miami/Miami Transplant Institute. His surgery, performed by the renowned Dr. Rodrigo Vianna, went extremely well—and Diego is already on the road to recovery. 💚✨
Before his transplant, Diego showed strength and resilience while on hemodialysis at United Dialysis in Pompano. We want to give a special thank you to the incredible team at United for keeping him healthy and prepared for this wonderful outcome.
At The Kidney & Hypertension Group, these moments remind us why we work tirelessly: to help our patients live longer, healthier lives. Congratulations, Diego-we celebrate this milestone with you! 🤗⭐️💚