Percutaneous gastric embolization for obesity: A prospective mid-term outcomes study

Abstract

Introduction

Obesity represents one of the most pressing public health challenges that needs to be solved globally, with serious health implications. Despite primary prevention efforts the prevalence of obesity continues to increase. Percutaneous gastric embolisation (PGE) has emerged as a promising technique in the management of this disease.

Material and methods

Prospective longitudinal cohort study including 15 patients diagnosed with grade III obesity, admitted to the Haemodynamics Service of the Cardiovascular Health Institute during the year 2022.

Results

86.7% of the PGEs were successful. Treated patients experienced significant weight loss when comparing baseline weight (101.2 ± 23.0 SE = 5.9) with weight at 6 months after the interventional procedure (91.5 ± 19.8, SE = 5.1) t (14) = 5.3, p < 0.001, d = 0.45. Especially males (106.7 ± 18.4, p = 0.01). No major vascular complications, gastric ulcer or ischaemia, or abdominal symptoms were documented in any of the patients included in the study. Only 6 patients (40%) presented with epigastralgia, 9 (60%) with nausea and 3 (20%) with vomiting.

Conclusions

Percutaneous gastric embolisation is an effective and safe procedure to reduce BMI with a high success rate, well tolerated by obese patients, without major complications, whose results are maintained over time.