Improvement of Cardiac Function After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Morbidly Obese Patients Without Cardiac History Measured by Cardiac MRI

Changes in the Structure, Function, and Fat Content of the Heart in Patients with Obesity After Bariatric Surgery-A Prospective Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

BACKGROUND

Changes in myocardial fat in addition to changes in cardiac structure and function have not been accurately evaluated in obese patients following surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-four obese patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and completed preoperative and postoperative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were enrolled, and their clinical and laboratory data were collected. The differences and correlations between clinical, laboratory, and CMR parameters between the preoperative and postoperative groups were analysed.

RESULTS

The left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricle cardiac output (LVCO), pericardial adipose tissue volume (PATV), and myocardial proton density fat fraction (M-PDFF) decreased after surgery (all P < 0.05). The left ventricle global longitudinal strain increased at 6 months after surgery (P = 0.004). A decrease in BMI was positively correlated with the LVCO (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) at 3 months after surgery and was positively correlated with the LVM and PATV (r = 0.54, P < 0.05) at 6 months after surgery. Six months after surgery, the changes in PATV were positively correlated with the changes in triglycerides (r = 0.61, P < 0.01). There was a moderately positive correlation between the decrease in the LVM and PATV (r = 0.54 ~ 0.71, P < 0.02) after surgery.

CONCLUSION

After surgery, the cardiac structure and function of obese patients significantly improved, the PATV and M-PDFF decreased, and there was a correlation between the structure and function of the heart and several clinical and laboratory indicators.

The effect of significant weight loss after bariatric surgery on echocardiographic indices: an observational study focusing on left ventricular deformation by 2D speckle echocardiography and right ventricular size

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a known risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiac disease.

HYPOTHESIS

This study evaluated the effect of significant weight loss following bariatric surgery on myocardial deformation indices and right ventricular size (RV). This was a prospective cohort study. Morbid obese patients scheduled for bariatric surgery from July 2017 to February 2018 at Firoozgar Hospital were included in our study and referred for transthoracic echocardiography at Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients entered the study. The absolute value of global longitudinal strain (GLS) at baseline, 3, and 6 months after surgery was 17.42 ± 2.94%, 18.24 ± 3.09%, and 19.52 ± 2.78%, respectively, with a statistically significant difference from baseline to after six months (P value < 0.001). The absolute value of global circumferential strain (GCS) at baseline, 3, and 6 months after surgery was 20.14 ± 4.22%, 23.32 ± 4.66%, and 24.53 ± 4.52%, respectively, with statistically significant changes (P value < 0.001) from baseline to three months and from baseline to six months and no significant difference from three months to six months. A significant decrease was reported in mechanical dispersion of circumferential strain (38.05 ± 23.81-23.37 ± 20.86 ms, P value = 0.006) 6 months after surgery. Right ventricular size three- and six-month post-surgery showed a significant decrease relative to baseline echocardiography.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery could enhance cardiac function, as proven by 2D speckle echocardiography. Changes in RV size may be related to weight loss and should be considered when assessing patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.

The effects of bariatric surgery on cardiac function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is associated with alterations in cardiac structure and haemodynamics leading to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Culminating evidence suggests improvement of cardiac structure and function following bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of bariatric surgery on cardiac structure and function in patients before and after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting pre- and postoperative cardiac structure and function parameters on cardiac imaging in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

Eighty studies of 3332 patients were included. Bariatric surgery is associated with a statistically significant improvement in cardiac geometry and function including a decrease of 12.2% (95% CI 0.096-0.149; p < 0.001) in left ventricular (LV) mass index, an increase of 0.155 (95% CI 0.106-0.205; p < 0.001) in E/A ratio, a decrease of 2.012 mm (95% CI 1.356-2.699; p < 0.001) in left atrial diameter, a decrease of 1.16 mm (95% CI 0.62-1.69; p < 0.001) in LV diastolic dimension, and an increase of 1.636% (95% CI 0.706-2.566; p < 0.001) in LV ejection fraction after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery led to reverse remodelling and improvement in cardiac geometry and function driven by metabolic and haemodynamic factors.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery in the Short and Long Term: A Need for Time-Dependent Dosing of Drugs

Sparse information is available on pharmacokinetic changes of drugs over time after bariatric surgery. By reviewing the literature on the short- and long-term pharmacokinetic changes of drugs, several patterns were identified for 39 drugs. No relevant pharmacokinetic changes were identified for roughly a third of the drugs. Of the remaining drugs, levels were variable and partly unpredictable shortly after the surgery. In the long term, most of the drug levels remain altered, but in some cases they returned to preoperative values. Based on the changes and the efficacy-safety balance of each drug, clinicians may need to perform additional clinical monitoring for specific drugs, including measuring drug levels. This review provides suggestions for clinicians and pharmacists for specific time-dependent drug dosing advice.

Obesity, Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure, and Left Ventricular Remodeling

Owing to the overwhelming obesity epidemic, preserved ejection fraction heart failure commonly ensues in patients with severe obesity and the obese phenotype of preserved ejection fraction heart failure is now commonplace in clinical practice. Severe obesity and preserved ejection fraction heart failure share congruent cardiovascular, immune, and renal derangements that make it difficult to ascertain whether the obese phenotype of preserved ejection fraction heart failure is the convergence of two highly prevalent conditions or severe obesity enables the development and progression of the syndrome of preserved ejection fraction heart failure. Nevertheless, the obese phenotype of preserved ejection fraction heart failure provides a unique opportunity to assess whether sustained and sizeable loss of excess body weight via metabolic bariatric surgery reverses the concentric left ventricular remodeling that patients with preserved ejection fraction heart failure commonly display.

The Early Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiac Structure and Function: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis was performed to investigate how cardiac structures and functions change in the very early stage after bariatric surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We thoroughly searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases for articles including patients who underwent bariatric surgery and examined the changes of their cardiac indices. Results were pooled by using Review Manager 5.1 and Stata 12.0. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained. The I-squared (I²) test was used to determine the heterogeneity between studies. To identify publication bias, funnel plots and Egger's test were utilized. The leave-one-out method was used to conduct sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

In this meta-analysis, 24 research including 942 patients were considered. According to our findings, most cardiac indices changed 3-6 months following bariatric surgery. An improvement in cardiac geometry was reflected by a reduction in left ventricular mass (LVM) (WMD =  - 22.06, 95% CI = (- 27.97, - 16.16)). The left ventricular diastolic function improved, as reflected by the decrease in the E/e' ratio (WMD =  - 0.90, 95% CI = (- 1.83, - 0.16)). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) did not show an obvious change (WMD = 0.94, 95% CI = (- 0.19, 2.07)), while a more sensitive indicator of left ventricular systolic function, left ventricular longitudinal strain (LV LS), increased (WMD =  - 2.43, 95% CI = (- 3.96, - 0.89)).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis includes the newest and most comprehensive cardiac indices to prove that cardiac structures and functions are improved early after bariatric surgery, which has not been reported by any other studies.

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Cardiac Structure, and Systolic and Diastolic Function in Patients with Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The purpose of this study was to provide pooled data from all studies on the impact of bariatric surgery on cardiac structure, and systolic and diastolic function evaluated by either echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance. PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched. Almost all of cardiac left-side structural indices improved significantly after bariatric surgery. However, right-side structural indices did not change significantly. Left ventricular ejection fraction and most of the diastolic function indices improved significantly after the bariatric surgery. The subgroup analysis showed that the left ventricular mass index decreased more in long-term follow-up (≥ 12 months). In addition, subgroup analysis of studies based on surgery type did not reveal any difference in outcomes between gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy groups.

The Emerging Factors and Treatment Options for NAFLD-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Simple Summary

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, and it is an increasing factor in the cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The incidence of NAFLD has increased in recent decades, accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of other metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, current treatment options are limited. Both genetic factors and non-genetic factors impact the initiation and progression of NAFLD-related HCC. The early diagnosis of liver cancer predicts curative treatment and longer survival. Some key molecules play pivotal roles in the initiation and progression of NAFLD-related HCC, which can be targeted to impede HCC development. In this review, we summarize some key factors and important molecules in NAFLD-related HCC development, the latest progress in HCC diagnosis and treatment options, and some current clinical trials for NAFLD treatment.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer, followed by cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). HCC is the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide, and its incidence is rising, associated with an increased prevalence of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, current treatment options are limited. Genetic factors and epigenetic factors, influenced by age and environment, significantly impact the initiation and progression of NAFLD-related HCC. In addition, both transcriptional factors and post-transcriptional modification are critically important for the development of HCC in the fatty liver under inflammatory and fibrotic conditions. The early diagnosis of liver cancer predicts curative treatment and longer survival. However, clinical HCC cases are commonly found in a very late stage due to the asymptomatic nature of the early stage of NAFLD-related HCC. The development of diagnostic methods and novel biomarkers, as well as the combined evaluation algorithm and artificial intelligence, support the early and precise diagnosis of NAFLD-related HCC, and timely monitoring during its progression. Treatment options for HCC and NAFLD-related HCC include immunotherapy, CAR T cell therapy, peptide treatment, bariatric surgery, anti-fibrotic treatment, and so on. Overall, the incidence of NAFLD-related HCC is increasing, and a better understanding of the underlying mechanism implicated in the progression of NAFLD-related HCC is essential for improving treatment and prognosis.