706 - Renal Denervation in Resistant Hypertension: Techniques, Outcomes, and Complications

Monday, April 13, 2026

5:21 PM - 5:27 PM ET

Abstract Presenter(s)

DV

Devi Preetham R. Veeramgari (he/him/his)

Medical Student
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

AJ

Ammar Jawad, BA

Medical Student
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, United States
AG

Alexander Giermek, BS

Medical Student
VCU School of Medicine, United States
AK

Aditya Kotha, BS

Medical Student
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, United States
CB

Christopher W. Bailey, DO

Assistant Professor
Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Radiology, United States

Learning Objectives:

Identify current treatment standards for resistant hypertension and compare them to renal denervation

Describe the procedural techniques used for renal denervation

Present the data regarding blood pressure outcomes from the SYMPLICITY HTN 3-trial

Document short-term and long-term complications associated with renal denervation intervention

Background: Resistant hypertension (RH) is defined as high blood pressure that persists despite consistent usage of anti-hypertensive agents. Recent studies have found that its prevalence can reach up to 30% of the population despite lifestyle modifications and medical management {1}. Renal denervation serves as an emerging intervention to reduce blood pressure in these individuals, as evidenced by the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial {2}. This educational exhibit aims to present the current data and findings of this trial to further viewer knowledge and understanding.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: Renal denervation involves the Symplicity Catheter, a device that enters the renal arterial lumen and emits radiofrequency energy in order to ablate the nearby sympathetic nerves surrounding the vessel {2}. In the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial, patients in the experimental group were found to have lower drops in blood pressure compared to the control group 12-36 months post-procedure {2}. Complications occurred in 54/352 patients, which included new diagnosis of end-stage renal disease, embolic events, vascular issues, re-intervention of the renal artery, hypertensive episodes, and even death {2}.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: Although the results seem promising, further research into the widespread adoption of this technique is needed. Meta-analysis has previously shown mixed results from study to study on the long-term benefits of renal denervation interventions on improvements in blood pressure {1}. Future studies need to focus on elucidating beneficial effects from procedural intervention and differentiating them from possible confounding variables present in the study populations.