Left Gastric Artery Embolization for Weight Loss-a Dead-End Procedure

Bariatric Artery Embolization for Obese Patients. An Up-to-Date Review

Overweight and obesity are one of public health's major problems in the world. Conservative treatment with exercise, diet and pharmacotherapy is often ineffective, especially in the long term. Bariatric surgery is the gold standard method for a sustained long-term weight loss. Recently the endovascular technique of bariatric artery embolization (BAE) has been studied as an obesity and overweight treatment, with promising results. The goal of this article is to analyze the rationale behind BAE and to provide an up-to-date analysis of its strengths and limitation in comparison with bariatric surgery as a treatment for obesity.

Angiographic Revascularization after Bariatric Embolization in a Swine Model

This study evaluated fundal arteriole angiographic revascularization after embolization with embolic microspheres of 3 different diameters in a swine model (16 swine, 31 arterioles). In the 50-μm group, 7 of 11 (64%) arterioles recanalized completely, 3 of 11 (27%) arterioles recanalized partially, and 1 of 11 (9%) arterioles had collateralization (no recanalization). In the 100- to 300-μm group, 7 of 10 (70%) arterioles recanalized completely and 3 of 10 (30%) arterioles) recanalized partially. In the 300- to 500-μm group, 7 of 10 (70%) arterioles recanalized completely, 1 of 10 (10%) arterioles recanalized partially, and 2 of 10 (20%) arterioles had collateralization. No difference was found between the groups in the degree of recanalization (P = .64). All embolized arterioles exhibited some degree of angiographic revascularization, irrespective of the microsphere size.

Rationale and Preclinical Data Supporting Bariatric Arterial Embolization

The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, leading to significantly increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. However, there is a lack of effective treatment options that can treat patients with obesity less invasively than with bariatric surgery. Bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) is an image-guided, minimally invasive, percutaneous procedure that is currently being investigated in preclinical animal models and early clinical trials. If successful, BAE may represent a viable interventional approach for obesity treatment. The purpose of this article is to introduce the physiological and anatomical rationale for BAE, review techniques involved in performing BAE for weight modulation, and provide up-to-date preclinical evidence that supports the translation of BAE into patients.

A catheter-based bariatric procedure: Wishful thinking or an intriguing concept

Left gastric artery embolization acutely lowers ghrelin levels and is associated with modest weight loss sustainable for 1 year in morbidly obese patients. The procedure is relative quick, free of access complications when done via the radial artery, but long-term sequelae and the durability of ischemic injury to the fundus of the stomach is uncertain. Present reports provide pilot and proof-of-concept data that should fashion further study, but application to routine practice today is premature.