Medtronic’s Symplicity Spyral RDN Treatment Evaluated for Reducing Albuminuria in Renal Disease

June 8, 2026—Medtronic announced that new results from the Global SYMPLICITY Registry DEFINE (GSR DEFINE) demonstrated significant reductions in albuminuria in patients with hypertensive renal disease after treatment with radiofrequency renal denervation (RDN).

The findings were recently presented by Professor Markus P. Schlaich, BSc, PhD at ESH 2026, the European Society of Hypertension.

As previously reported by the company, GSR DEFINE is documenting the safety and effectiveness of Medtronic’s Symplicity Spyral RDN system in a real-world setting for treating patients with uncontrolled hypertension (HTN).

In addition to HTN, the RDN treatment may have beneficial effects on albuminuria and other conditions associated with sympathetic imbalance, according to an August 2023 Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions position statement on the therapy.

An elevated urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) is independently associated with progression of renal disease, as well as increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, noted Medtronic.

As summarized by the company, the analysis presented at ESH 2026 included two patient cohorts from a group of 561 patients who were assessed in GSR DEFINE:

1. Patients with microalbuminuria (uACR of 30–299 mg/g; n = 125). Of these patients, 42% had diabetes and 45% had a history of renal disease.
2. Patients with macroalbuminuria (uACR of ≥ 300 mg/g; n = 56). Of these patients, 63% had diabetes and 73% had a history of renal disease.

The investigators assessed uACR, estimated glomerular filtration rate, office systolic blood pressure (OSBP), and antihypertensive medication use at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of follow-up.

The investigators reported there was a 50% uACR reduction in the microalbuminuria group and 66% uACR reduction in the macroalbuminuria group at 2 years. OSBP was reduced by 21.9 ± 26.6 mm Hg in the microalbuminuria group and 16.0 ± 24.4 mm Hg in the macroalbuminuria group. There were no significant changes in the antihypertensive medication, advised Medtronic.

Prof. Schlaich commented in the Medtronic announcement, “A significant proportion of patients have both uncontrolled hypertension and kidney disease, underscoring the importance of these findings for a clinically meaningful patient population. Treated patients showed a significant reduction in blood pressure and uACR, an independent marker of kidney disease progression and increased cardiovascular risk.”

He added, “Consistent with other analyses of real-world outcomes, the Symplicity blood pressure procedure is associated with overall risk reduction, suggesting the potential for improved outcomes.”

Prof. Schlaich is President of Hypertension, Australia and a pephrologist and hypertension specialist from the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.