Left Gastric Artery Embolization for Weight Loss

Abstract

besity is designated as a global epidemic. Multiple options are available for obesity management including dietary and lifestyle modifications, which can result in modest degrees of weight loss that is hard to maintain on the long term. Pharmacological modulation of hunger can achieve only modest levels of weight loss. Bariatric surgery has proven to result in substantial degrees of sustained weight loss, especially the Roux-en-Y operation, but the surgical risk and post-operative complications in obese patients are significant. Recently, there have been increased evidence that weight loss following bariatric surgery is mainly due to changes in gut hormonal/peptide homeostasis that affect the hypothalamic-GIT axis. This is evidenced by the drop-in Ghrelin levels accompanying post-surgery weight loss.