Embolization of Arterial Gastric Supply in Obesity

Obesity is now an epidemic in the developed and developing world. Medical management is ineffective at population level. Metabolic surgery has been shown to be effective in achieving weight loss and controlling associated conditions. However, surgery is invasive and has associated complications. Furthermore, not every patient is interested in or eligible for surgery. Bariatric gastric embolization recently emerged as a promising minimally invasive alternative to open bariatric surgery. Data from several initial pilot clinical trials suggests that gastric embolization is safe and can induce weight loss. Previous studies have concentrated on left gastric artery embolization as the primary target vessel because it supplies the largest portion of the fundus. However, it may be desirable to target a different artery, specifically the left gastroepiploic which also supplies the fundus. The left gastric artery is spared in bariatric surgery because it supplies the residual pouch after the surgery. Embolization of the left gastric artery may result in worse healing in the event of follow-up surgery potentially excluding people should they subsequently want it or become eligible. This study aims to assess safety and efficacy of bariatric embolization of the gastro-epiploic arcade using 300-500 micrometres calibrated polyvinyl-alcohol microparticles, for patients with morbid obesity. The target population consists of adult, morbidly obese patients with contraindication for bariatric surgery. Patients included in the study will be followed up for 12 months post bariatric embolization. The primary end point is procedural safety, defined as number and severity of adverse events occurring during the study period. Secondary end points include weight loss, evolution of weight and thigh circumferences, evolution of serum ghrelin levels and evolution of quality of life indexes.