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Gastric Embolization as Treatment for Overweight Patients; Efficacy and Safety

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Arterial Interventions
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of left gastric artery (LGA) embolization for the treatment of overweight patients who weren’t candidates for bariatric surgery.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively collected data of 16 patients who underwent a selective embolization of the LGA. The mean body mass index (BMI) before intervention was 28.9 kg/m2 ± 2.5, and therefore, patients were not candidates for bariatric surgery in Belgium. The embolization was realized with 500–700 µm particles via the right common femoral artery approach. Before and following the intervention, an upper endoscopy was performed. Patient demographics, weight loss, hunger sensation and a satisfactory scale were reviewed.

Results

Between February 2015 and May 2017, 16 overweight patients were treated, one embolization was unsuccessful. Four (25%) patients were lost in follow-up. Nine (56%) patients showed early weight loss, one (6%) maintained his bodyweight and one (6%) patient underwent bariatric surgery 2 years after consultation. Only one (6%) patient had a gastric ulceration on control endoscopy. One (6%) patient ended in the intensive care unit for pancreatitis and gastric perforation. The mean weight loss was 8 kg ± 5.12, reducing their mean BMI to 25.5 ± 3.5. The hunger sensation was decreased, and patients were satisfied.

Conclusion

This is a preliminary study in an overweight population that appears to induce weight loss and appetite suppression. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hopital Erasme, Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    S. Elens

  2. CHIREC Site Delta, Boulevard du Triomphe 201, 1160, Brussels, Belgium

    T. Roger, J. Rommens, A. Sarafidis & E. Capelluto

  3. Hôpital Universitaire de Saint-luc, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium

    M. Elens

  4. Hôpital Marie Curie, Chaussée de Bruxelles 140, 6042, Charleroi, Belgium

    C. Delcour

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  1. S. Elens
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  2. T. Roger
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  3. M. Elens
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  4. J. Rommens
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  6. E. Capelluto
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Elens.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent for Publication

Consent for publication was obtained for every individual person’s data included in the study.

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Elens, S., Roger, T., Elens, M. et al. Gastric Embolization as Treatment for Overweight Patients; Efficacy and Safety. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 42, 513–519 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-018-2130-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-018-2130-x

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