Sher T, Noom M, Diab AR, Sujka J, Rinde-Hoffman D, DuCoin C. Efficacy of bariatric intervention as a bridge to cardiac transplant.
Surg Obes Relat Dis 2023;
19:1296-1301. [PMID:
37391350 DOI:
10.1016/j.soard.2023.05.013]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Many patients with heart failure (HF) are denied cardiac transplants due to inability to meet transplantation body mass index (BMI) criteria. Bariatric intervention, including surgery, medication, and weight loss guidance, may help patients lose weight and become eligible for transplantation.
OBJECTIVE
We aim to contribute to the literature on the safety and efficacy of bariatric intervention on patients with obesity and HF who are awaiting cardiac transplantation.
SETTING
University hospital, United States.
METHODS
This was a mixed retrospective/prospective study. Eighteen patients with HF and BMI >35 kg/m2 were reviewed. Patients were divided based on whether they underwent bariatric surgery or nonsurgical intervention and whether they had left ventricular assist devices or other advanced heart failure therapy including inotropic support, guideline-directed medical therapy, and/or temporary mechanical circulatory support. Weight, BMI, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were collected before bariatric intervention and 6 months after bariatric intervention.
RESULTS
No patients were lost to follow-up. Bariatric surgery led to statistically significant decreases in weight and BMI when compared with nonsurgical patients. At 6 months after intervention, surgical patients lost an average of 18.6 kg and decreased their BMI by 6.4 kg/m2 while nonsurgical patients lost 1.9 kg and decreased their BMI by .7 kg/m2. After bariatric intervention, surgical patients had an average LVEF increase of 5.9% and nonsurgical patients had an average decrease of 5.9%, although these findings lacked statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that bariatric intervention among patients with HF and obesity is a safe and effective method of weight and BMI reduction.
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