Bariatric Embolization Could Promote Weight Loss

An experimental percutaneous procedure which involves embolization of the left gastric artery can lead to 50% reductions in excess weight, according to a new study.

Researchers at Dayton Interventional Radiology (OH, USA) performed the percutaneous procedure—dubbed bariatric or gastric artery embolization—using Bead Block, a formulation of tiny polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel microspheres that is made by Infiniti Medical (Menlo Park, CA, USA). The microspheres are tinted blue to improve visualization and come in a variety of sizes and preloaded syringes to facilitate targeted embolization of tumors and vascular malformations. Prior to use, Bead Block is mixed with an iodinated contrast agent and injected under fluoroscopic guidance.


The results showed that following embolization, one patient underwent a weight loss of nearly 20 kg (48.6% of her excess body weight); another patient, who was a diabetic, lost 12 kg (17% of her excess body weight) after the procedure, and a third lost 5 kg. A fourth patient lost only two and a half kilograms, but according to the researchers suffered a depressive event during the trial, and may have overeaten to compensate. The study was presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, held during November–December 2015 in Chicago (IL, USA).

“Bariatric embolization is a promising treatment for obesity. It can be performed on an outpatient basis and has the potential to provide as much weight loss as is seen in gastric surgery,” said lead author and study presenter Mubin Syed, MD. He added that the researchers believe that gastric artery embolization reduces ghrelin—the “hunger hormone”—and that embolization of the left gastric artery does not appear to harm the stomach because the organ has a rich collateral blood supply.

The experimental percutaneous procedure was conducted in four morbidly obese patients under a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) experimental device exemption to determine if the larger Gastric Artery Embolization Trial for Lessening Appetite Nonsurgically (GETLEAN) study, which is currently recruiting, should be expanded. The pilot study will enroll morbidly obese patients with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 40 kg/m² who are otherwise healthy. Patients must also have failed previous attempts at weight loss through diet, exercise, and behavior modification.

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Dayton Interventional Radiology
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