Effects of bariatric surgery in obese patients with hypertension: the GATEWAY randomized trial (Gastric Bypass to Treat Obese Patients With Steady Hypertension)

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent research efforts on bariatric surgery have focusedon metabolic and diabetes mellitus resolution. Randomized trials designedto assess the impact of bariatric surgery in patients with obesity andhypertension are needed.METHODS: In this randomized, single-center, nonblinded trial, we includedpatients with hypertension (using ≥2 medications at maximum doses or >2 atmoderate doses) and a body mass index between 30.0 and 39.9 kg/m2. Patientswere randomized to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass plus medical therapy or medicaltherapy alone. The primary end point was reduction of ≥30% of the totalnumber of antihypertensive medications while maintaining systolic and diastolicblood pressure <140 mmHg and 90 mmHg, respectively, at 12 months. RESULTS: We included 100 patients (70% female, mean age 43.8±9.2 years,mean body mass index 36.9±2.7 kg/m2), and 96% completed follow-up.Reduction of ≥30% of the total number of antihypertensive medicationswhile maintaining controlled blood pressure occurred in 41 of 49 patientsfrom the gastric bypass group (83.7%) compared with 6 of 47 patients(12.8%) from the control group with a rate ratio of 6.6 (95% confidenceinterval, 3.1–14.0; P<0.001). Remission of hypertension was present in 25of 49 (51%) and 22 of 48 (45.8%) patients randomized to gastric bypass,considering office and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring...