First Renal Denervation Procedure to Help Veterans with Resistant Hypertension

The minimally invasive intervention was performed on March 11, 2026, offering new hope to patients whose blood pressure remains difficult to control despite medication and lifestyle changes.

Renal denervation is an emerging interventional therapy that uses controlled radiofrequency energy to disrupt overactive renal nerves, which play a key role in regulating blood pressure. Unlike traditional options that rely solely on medications, this procedure offers sustained blood pressure reduction—typically between 5–15 mmHg systolic—without the peaks and troughs sometimes associated with daily prescriptions. It may also help reduce the number of medications a patient requires or improve blood pressure control when full medication adherence is challenging.

“This is a brand‑new capability for our facility and an important step forward for Veterans whose hypertension has been especially difficult to manage,” said the interventional cardiology team. Prior to renal denervation, treatment options were limited to lifestyle modifications and drug therapy alone.

How the Procedure Works

The procedure closely mirrors other cardiac catheterization techniques performed in the VA’s cardiac cath lab. A guiding catheter is threaded through the femoral artery to the renal artery under fluoroscopy. Using the Medtronic Symplicity Spyral Renal Denervation System, a balloon‑based catheter delivers circumferential radiofrequency energy to ablate overactive renal nerves. The process typically lasts about 90 minutes, with patients observed overnight following the intervention.

Specialized Team Behind the First Procedure

The milestone procedure was performed by: 

• Dr. Elgendy
• Dr. Leiva
• Morgan Richie, RN
• Mollie Kyker, RN
• Kaitlyn Napier, RN
• Paige Ladenburger, RT(R)
• Lisa Anstine, RT(R)
• Vennice Major, MIT 

The interventional team typically includes an interventional cardiologist, a cardiology fellow, a cardiac cath lab nurse, a radiologic technologist, and a medical instrument technologist.

Who Can Benefit

Renal denervation is reserved for Veterans who have true resistant hypertension, meaning their blood pressure remains high despite optimal medication use and confirmed adherence. Primary care providers, nephrologists, and cardiologists can refer patients to the interventional cardiologist overseeing these procedures. Afterward, patients continue taking their prescribed medications, with adjustments made over time based on the blood pressure response.

Looking Ahead

The Lexington VA expects to perform one to three procedures per month moving forward, expanding access to this promising therapy for qualified Veterans. The successful completion of the first case marks a milestone for the cardiac cath lab and reinforces the VA’s commitment to bringing new, evidence‑based innovations to Veteran care.