Acceptability and Feasibility of the Telehealth Bariatric Behavioral Intervention to Increase Physical Activity Before Bariatric Surgery: A Single-Case Experimental Study (Part I).

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) can play an important role in optimizing metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) outcomes. However, many MBS patients have difficulty increasing PA, necessitating the development of theory-driven counseling interventions. This study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of the TELEhealth BARIatric behavioral intervention (TELE-BariACTIV) trial protocol/methods and intervention, which was designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in adults awaiting MBS and (2) estimate the effect of the intervention on MVPA. METHODS: This trial used a repeated single-case experimental design. Twelve insufficiently active adults awaiting MBS received 6 weekly 45-min PA videoconferencing counseling sessions. Feasibility and acceptability data (i.e., refusal, recruitment, retention, attendance, and attrition rates) were tracked and collected via online surveys, and interviews. MVPA was assessed via accelerometry pre-, during, and post-intervention. RESULTS: Among the 24 patients referred to the research team; five declined to participate (refusal rate = 20.8%) and seven were ineligible or unreachable. The recruitment rate was 1.2 participants per month between 2021-09 and 2022-07. One participant withdrew during the baseline phase, and one after the intervention (retention rate = 83.3%). No participant dropouts occurred during the intervention and 98.6% of sessions were completed. Participants' anticipated and retrospective acceptability of the intervention was 3.2/4 (IQR, 0.5) and 3.0/4 (IQR, 0.2), respectively. There was a statistically significant increase in MVPA [Tau-U = 0.32(0.11; 0.51)] from pre- to post-intervention. CONCLUSION: Despite a low recruitment rate, which could be explained by circumstances (COVID-19 pandemic), results support feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of the TELE-Bari-ACTIV intervention for increasing MVPA in patients awaiting MBS.

Current recommendations for procedure selection in class I and II obesity developed by an expert modified Delphi consensus.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is widely considered the most effective option for treating obesity, a chronic, relapsing, and progressive disease. Recently, the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) issued new guidelines on the indications for MBS, which have superseded the previous 1991 National Institutes of Health guidelines. The aim of this study is to establish the first set of consensus guidelines for selecting procedures in Class I and II obesity, using an Expert Modified Delphi Method. In this study, 78 experienced bariatric surgeons from 32 countries participated in a two-round Modified Delphi consensus voting process. The threshold for consensus was set at an agreement or disagreement of ≥ 70.0% among the experts. The experts reached a consensus on 54 statements. The committee of experts reached a consensus that MBS is a cost-effective treatment option for Class II obesity and for patients with Class I obesity who have not achieved significant weight loss through non-surgical methods. MBS was also considered suitable for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or higher. The committee identified intra-gastric balloon (IGB) as a treatment option for patients with class I obesity and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) as an option for patients with class I and II obesity, as well as for patients with T2DM and a BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2. Sleeve gastrectomy (1) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) were also recognized as viable treatment options for these patient groups. The committee also agreed that one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a suitable option for patients with Class II obesity and T2DM, regardless of the presence or severity of obesity-related medical problems. The recommendations for selecting procedures in Class I and II obesity, developed through an Expert Modified Delphi Consensus, suggest that the use of standard primary bariatric endoscopic (IGB, ESG) and surgical procedures (SG, RYGB, OAGB) are acceptable in these patient groups, as consensus was reached regarding these procedures. However, randomized controlled trials are still needed in Class I and II Obesity to identify the best treatment approach for these patients in the future.

Single Anastomosis Duodeno-Ileal bypass (SADI-S) as Primary or Two-Stage Surgery: Mid-Term Outcomes of a Single Canadian Bariatric Center.

PURPOSE: Compare primary single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) and two-stage SADI after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in terms of weight loss, reduction/remission of comorbidities, and morbidity. METHODS: Retrospective study including 179 patients treated laparoscopically between 2016 and 2020. A 50Fr bougie was used for the SG in the primary SADI-S (group 1) and 36/40Fr for the two-stage procedure (group 2). The duodeno-ileal anastomosis was performed at 250 cm from the ileocecal valve and at least 2 cm after the pylorus. RESULTS: Mean age was 44.1 years old, and there were 148 women and 31 men. There were 67 (37.4%) patients in group 1 and 112 (62.6%) in group 2, with 67% completing the 4-year follow-up. Mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 51.1 kg/m2 and 44.6 kg/m2 for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Preoperative comorbidities were obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia in 103 (57.5%), 93 (52%), 65 (36.3%), and 58 (32.4%) of cases. At 4 years postoperatively, excess weight loss (EWL) was 67.5% in group 1 and 67% in group 2 (p = 0.1005). Both groups had good comorbidity remission rates. Early postoperative morbidity rate was 10.4% in group 1 and 3.6% in group 2. In group1, there were mostly postoperative intra-abdominal hematomas managed conservatively (n = 4). Two revisional surgeries were needed for duodeno-ileal anastomosis leaks. Postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), daily diarrhea, vitamin, and protein levels were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Both types of strategies are efficient at short and mid-term outcomes. Preoperative criteria will inform surgeon decision between a primary and a two-stage strategy.

A systematic review of full economic evaluations of robotic-assisted surgery in thoracic and abdominopelvic procedures.

This study aims to conduct a systematic review of full economic analyses of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in adults' thoracic and abdominopelvic indications. Authors used Medline, EMBASE, and PubMed to conduct a systematic review following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. Fully published economic articles in English were included. Methodology and reporting quality were assessed using standardized tools. Majority of studies (28/33) were on oncology procedures. Radical prostatectomy was the most reported procedure (16/33). Twenty-eight studies used quality-adjusted life years, and five used complication rates as outcomes. Nine used primary and 24 studies used secondary data. All studies used modeling. In 81% of studies (27/33), RAS was cost-effective or potentially cost-effective compared to comparator procedures, including radical prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and cystectomy. Societal perspective, longer-term time-horizon, and larger volumes favored RAS. Cost-drivers were length of stay and equipment cost. From societal and payer perspectives, robotic-assisted surgery is a cost-effective strategy for thoracic and abdominopelvic procedures.Clinical trial registration This study is a systematic review with no intervention, not a clinical trial.

Long-term follow-up of a cohort with post sleeve gastrectomy leaks: results of endoscopic treatment and salvage surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most performed bariatric procedure worldwide. The most challenging postoperative complication is gastric leak. The objectives of this study are to examine the efficacy and morbidity of different therapeutic strategies addressing leakage, and the long-term outcomes of a cohort of LSG leaks. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients treated for LSG leaks between September 2014 and January 2023 at our high-volume bariatric surgery center was performed. RESULTS: The charts of 37 patients (29 women and 8 men) were reviewed, with a mean age of 43 years and a median follow-up of 24 months. The mean preoperative body mass index was 45.1 kg/m2. Overall, 30/37 (81%) patients were successfully treated with endoscopic management, and 7/37 (19%) ultimately underwent salvage surgery. If the leak was diagnosed earlier than 6 weeks, endoscopic treatment had a 97% success rate. The median number of endoscopic procedures was 2 per patient, and included internal pigtails, stents, septoplasty, endoluminal vacuum therapy and over-the-scope clips. Complications included stent-related ulcers (10), esophageal stenosis requiring endoscopic dilatations (4), stent migrations (2) and kinking requiring repositioning (1), and internal pigtail migration (3). Revisional surgery consisted of proximal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunal anastomosis, Roux-en-Y fistulo-jejunostomy or classic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass proximal to the gastric stricture. In 62% of the cases, the axis/caliber of the LSG was abnormal. Beyond 4 attempts, endoscopy was unsuccessful. The success rate of endoscopic management dropped to 25% when treatment was initiated more than 45 days after the index surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Purely endoscopic management was successful in 81% of cases; with 97% success rate if diagnosis earlier than 6 weeks. After four failed endoscopic procedures, a surgical approach should be considered. Delayed diagnosis appears to be a significant risk factor for failure of endoscopic treatment.

Factors Associated with Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Mixed-Method Study.

PURPOSE: After metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), many patients have excess skin (ES), which can cause inconveniences. Identifying factors related to ES quantity and inconveniences is crucial to inform interventions. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors associated with ES quantity and inconveniences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted with 124 adults (92% women, Mage 46.5 ± 9.9 years, Mtime post-MBS 34.2 ± 27.6 months). During phase I, ES quantity (arms, abdomen, thighs) and inconveniences and sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and behavioral outcomes were assessed. In phase II, 7 focus groups were performed with 37 participants from phase I. A triangulation protocol was completed to identify convergences, complementarities, and dissonances from quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: Quantitative data indicate only ES quantity on arms was associated with ES inconveniences on arms (r = .36, p < .01). Total ES quantity was associated with maximal body mass index (BMI) reached pre-MBS (r = .48, p < .05) and current BMI (r = .35, p < .05). Greater ES inconvenience was associated with higher social physique anxiety and age (R2 = .50, p < .01). Qualitative data were summarized into 4 themes: psychosocial experiences living with ES, physical ailments due to ES, essential support and unmet needs, and beliefs of ES quantity causes. CONCLUSION: Measured ES quantity is related to higher BMI, but not reported inconveniences. Greater self-reported ES quantity and inconveniences were associated with body image concerns.

Understanding the impact of radical changes in diet and the gut microbiota on brain function and structure: rationale and design of the EMBRACE study.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery leads to profound changes in gut microbiota and dietary patterns, both of which may interact to impact gut-brain communication. Though cognitive function improves postsurgery, there is a large variability in outcomes. How bariatric surgery-induced modifications in the gut microbiota and dietary patterns influence the variability in cognitive function is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the associations between bariatric surgery-induced changes in dietary and gut microbiota patterns with cognition and brain structure. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: A total of 120 adult patients (≥30 years) scheduled to undergo a primary bariatric surgery along with 60 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched patients on the surgery waitlist will undergo assessments 3-months presurgery and 6- and 12-month postsurgery (or an equivalent time for the waitlist group). Additionally, 60 age-and sex-matched nonbariatric surgery eligible individuals will complete the presurgical assessments only. Evaluations will include sociodemographic and health behavior questionnaires, physiological assessments (anthropometrics, blood-, urine-, and fecal-based measures), neuropsychological cognitive tests, and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Cluster analyses of the dietary and gut microbiota changes will define the various dietary patterns and microbiota profiles, then using repeated measures mixed models, their associations with global cognitive and structural brain alterations will be explored. RESULTS: The coordinating study site (Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, QC, Canada), provided the primary ethical approval (Research Ethics Board#: MP-32-2022-2412). CONCLUSIONS: The insights generated from this study can be used to develop individually-targeted neurodegenerative disease prevention strategies, as well as providing critical mechanistic information.

Five-year outcomes after surgery for class 1 obesity: a retrospective analysis of a Canadian bariatric centre's experience.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature exploring the role of bariatric surgery in class 1 obesity. We evaluated the 5-year outcomes after bariatric surgery in patients with class 1 obesity, assessing weight loss, resolution/reduction of obesity-related comorbidities, morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We performed a single-centre retrospective analysis of patients who underwent bariatric surgery (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy [LSG] or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [LRYGB)]) for class 1 obesity (body mass index [BMI] 30.0-34.9) between January 2012 and February 2019. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (35 [95%] female, mean age 44.5 yr [standard error (SE) 11.3 yr], mean preoperative BMI 33.1) were included, of whom 32 underwent LSG and 5 underwent LRYGB. Thirty-five patients were followed for 5 years post-operatively, achieving a mean BMI of 25.6 (SE 1.2) and excess weight loss of 89.4% (SE 15.1%). Remission of hypertension was achieved in 5 of 12 patients (42%), and remission of dyslipidemia was achieved in 7 of 11 patients (64%). Of the 11 patients with diabetes, 7 underwent LSG and 4, LRYGB. At 5 years postoperatively, the mean glycosylated hemoglobin concentration was 6.3%. Four patients in the LSG group developed de novo reflux, 1 patient required conversion to LRYGB, and 1 patient with sleeve stenosis required endoscopic dilatation. There were no deaths in either patient group. CONCLUSION: At our centre, bariatric surgery for class 1 obesity was safe and had long-term efficacy, with remission or reduction of related comorbidities. Prospective controlled trials are required to confirm these results.

Acceptability and Feasibility of the Telehealth Bariatric Behavioral Intervention to Increase Physical Activity: Protocol for a Single-Case Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity (PA) is recommended to optimize weight and health outcomes in patients who have undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). However, >70% of patients have low PA levels before MBS that persist after MBS. Although behavioral interventions delivered face-to-face have shown promise for increasing PA among patients who have undergone MBS, many may experience barriers, preventing enrollment into and adherence to such interventions. Delivering PA behavior change interventions via telehealth to patients who have undergone MBS may be an effective strategy to increase accessibility and reach, as well as adherence. OBJECTIVE: This paper reports the protocol for a study that aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the protocol or methods and the Telehealth Bariatric Behavioral Intervention (TELE-BariACTIV). The intervention is designed to increase moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) in patients awaiting bariatric surgery and is guided by a multitheory approach and a patient perspective. Another objective is to estimate the effect of the TELE-BariACTIV intervention on presurgical MVPA to determine the appropriate sample size for a multicenter trial. METHODS: This study is a multicenter trial using a repeated (ABAB'A) single-case experimental design. The A phases are observational phases without intervention (A1=pre-MBS phase; A2=length personalized according to the MBS date; A3=7 months post-MBS phase). The B phases are interventional phases with PA counseling (B1=6 weekly pre-MBS sessions; B2=3 monthly sessions starting 3 months after MBS). The target sample size is set to 12. Participants are inactive adults awaiting sleeve gastrectomy who have access to a computer with internet and an interface with a camera. The participants are randomly allocated to a 1- or 2-week baseline period (A1). Protocol and intervention feasibility and acceptability (primary outcomes) will be assessed by recording missing data, refusal, recruitment, retention, attendance, and attrition rates, as well as via web-based acceptability questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Data collected via accelerometry (7-14 days) on 8 occasions and via questionnaires on 10 occasions will be analyzed to estimate the effect of the intervention on MVPA. Generalization measures assessing the quality of life, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and theory-based constructs (ie, motivational regulations for PA, self-efficacy to overcome barriers to PA, basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration, PA enjoyment, and social support for PA; secondary outcomes for a future large-scale trial) will be completed via web-based questionnaires on 6-10 occasions. The institutional review board provided ethics approval for the study in June 2021. RESULTS: Recruitment began in September 2021, and all the participants were enrolled (n=12). Data collection is expected to end in fall 2023, depending on the MBS date of the recruited participants. CONCLUSIONS: The TELE-BariACTIV intervention has the potential for implementation across multiple settings owing to its collaborative construction that can be offered remotely. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/39633.

Successful surgical weight loss with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity prior to kidney transplantation.

Morbid obesity in kidney transplant (KT) candidates is associated with increased complications and graft failure. Multiple series have demonstrated rapid and significant weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in this population. Long-term and post-transplant weight evolutions are still largely unknown. A retrospective review was performed in eighty patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) who underwent LSG in preparation for KT. From a median initial BMI of 43.7 kg/m2 , the median change at 1-year was -10.0 kg/m2 . Successful surgical weight loss (achieving a BMI < 35 kg/m2 or an excess body weight loss >50%) was attained in 76.3% and was associated with male gender, predialysis status, lower obesity class and lack of coronary artery disease. Thirty-one patients subsequently received a KT with a median delay of 16.7 months. Weight regain (increase in BMI of 5 kg/m2 postnadir) and recurrent obesity (weight regain + BMI > 35) remain a concern, occurring post-KT in 35.7% and 17.9%, respectively. Early LSG should be considered for morbidly obese patients with ESKD for improved weight loss outcomes. Early KT after LSG does not appear to affect short-term surgical weight loss. Candidates with a BMI of up to 45 kg/m2 can have a reasonable expectation to achieve the limit within 1 year.

Behavioral weight management interventions in metabolic and bariatric surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating optimal delivery timing.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) yields unprecedented clinical outcomes, though variability is high in weight change and health benefits. Behavioral weight management (BWM) interventions may optimize MBS outcomes. However, there is a lack of an evidence base to inform their use in practice, particularly regarding optimal delivery timing. This paper evaluated the efficacy of BWM conducted pre- versus post- versus pre- and post-MBS. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and included pre- and/or post-operative BWM interventions in adults reporting anthropometric and/or body composition data. Thirty-six studies (2,919 participants) were included. Post-operative BWM yielded greater decreases in weight (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.766 to -0.049, p < 0.05; I2 = 93.5%) and body mass index (SMD = -0.60; 95% CI: -0.913 to -0.289, p < 0.001; I2 = 87.8%) relative to comparators. There was no effect of BWM delivered pre- or joint pre- and post-operatively. The risk of selection and performance bias was generally high. Delivering BWM after MBS appears to confer the most benefits on weight, though there was high variability in study characteristics and risk of bias across trials. This provides insight into the type of support that should be considered post-operatively.

A reliable, reproducible flow cytometry protocol for immune cell quantification in human adipose tissue.

The ability to accurately identify and quantify immune cell populations within adipose tissue is important in understanding the role of immune cells in metabolic disease risk. Flow cytometry is the gold standard method for immune cell quantification. However, quantification of immune cells from adipose tissue presents a number of challenges because of the complexities of working with an oily substance and the rapid deterioration of immune cell viability before analysis can be performed. Here we present a highly reproducible flow cytometry protocol for the quantification of immune cells in human adipose tissue, which overcomes these issues.

Case Report: Endoscopic Removal of an Eroded Gastric Band Causing Small Bowel Obstruction upon Migration into the Proximal Jejunum.

BACKGROUND: Adjustable gastric banding (AGB) is on the decline due to its relatively modest amount of expected weight loss, coupled with high rates of revision and complications such as band erosion. Management of eroded gastric bands can be challenging especially when complete intra-gastric erosion is followed by distal migration causing small bowel obstruction. METHODS: We present an endoscopic option of using a pediatric colonoscope to remove an eroded AGB causing jejunal obstruction. RESULT: Endoscopic removal of an eroded ABG causing bowel obstruction was successful. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy remains a safe and relatively non-invasive approach to deal with such complications.

Prospective study of the changes in pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressive medications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy induces weight loss via the creation of a restrictive gastric tube for early satiety and is associated with an accelerated gastric transit time. A prospective, single-dose pharmacokinetic study was performed, prior to and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, for tacrolimus, extended-release tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium. The study included 12 morbidly obese patients in chronic renal failure. The median decrease in body mass index was 8.8 kg/m2 with an excess body weight loss of 54.9%. The AUC24 of all drugs were increased after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy by 46%, 55%, 77%, and 74%, respectively. The maximum concentrations were increased for tacrolimus, extended-release tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil by 43%, 46%, and 65%. The apparent total clearances were decreased for tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium by 36%, 57%, and 38%. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy can be associated with significant changes in pharmacokinetics of the drugs evaluated. The mechanism is likely decreased apparent drug clearance due to an increased drug exposure (from a more distal site of intestinal absorption with decreased intestinal metabolism), or decreased clearance (liver metabolism). Adapting the monitoring of immunosuppression will be important to avoid overdosing and potential side effects.

Decreasing complication rates for one-stage conversion band to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) revision surgery is often necessary because of its high failure rate. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that better patient selection, when converting a failed LAGB to a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a one-stage revision procedure, is safe, feasible and improves the complication rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent a one-stage conversion of failed gastric banding to a LSG. Collected data included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), intraoperative complications, length of stay and post-operative complications. The results were compared to a previous study of 90 cases of LSG as a revision procedure for failed LAGB. RESULTS: There were 75 patients in the current study, 61 women and 14 men, aged 25-67 (average: 46), with a mean BMI of 45 kg/m2 (32-66). Seventy patients (93.3%) were operated for insufficient weight loss and 5 patients (6.7%) for intolerance to the band. In our previous study, 35 patients (39%) were operated for slippage, erosion or obstruction and 14 (15.6%) had post-operative complications as opposed to only 4 patients (5.3%) in this series (P = 0.0359). Gastric leak also improved to 1.3% compared to 5.5% previously. Average hospitalisation time was 2.5 days (1-40). CONCLUSIONS: Rigorous patient selection, without band complications such as slippage, erosion or obstruction, allows for a significantly lower rate of operative complications for a one-stage conversion of failed gastric banding to a LSG.

Efficiency of Laparoscopic One-Step Revision of Failed Adjusted Gastric Banding to Gastric Sleeve: a Retrospective Review of 101 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: Until recently, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgeries worldwide. Today, its high rate of complications and failure rates up to 70% requires revisional surgery. The one-stage conversion from LAGB to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been shown to be safe, although there are some concerns on efficacy and long-term weight loss. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate that one-step revision of LAGB to another restrictive procedure, such as LSG, might have efficient long-term outcomes. METHODS: The charts from 133 revisional LSGs for failed or complicated LAGB were retrospectively reviewed for the period between January 2010 and August 2017. Thirty-two patients were excluded for loss to follow-up. Demographics, complications, and percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) were determined. RESULTS: One hundred one patients were included (85 women and 16 men), with a mean age of 48.5 years, and a mean body mass index of 47.1 kg/m2. During the follow-up, 15 patients (15%) underwent a second revisional surgery for weight loss failure (8 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), 3 biliopancreatic diversion, 3 single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass, 1 revisional LSG). Ten patients (10%) had long-term complications (8 severe reflux and 2 stenosis) during this period and underwent a second revisional surgery (10 RYGBP). The remaining 76 had a mean follow-up of 4.3 years and a mean %EWL of 53.2%. CONCLUSION: Single-stage conversion to LSG is a safe and appropriate solution for failed or complicated LAGB with good long-term weight loss.

Posttranslational modification of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is differentially regulated in response to distinct cardiometabolic treatments as revealed by targeted proteomics.

BACKGROUND: The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a secreted protein that interacts with the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor at the surface of hepatocytes to regulate circulating LDL cholesterol levels. High circulating PCSK9 levels have been associated with elevated LDL cholesterol. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States approved new LDL cholesterol-lowering drugs that specifically target the inhibition of PCSK9. Similar to most human proteins, PCSK9 exists in multiple forms as it is the target of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) such as proteolytic cleavage, phosphorylation, and others, which can affect its biological activity. However, commercially available assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, do not discriminate between these forms. OBJECTIVE: To investigate, in 2 patient cohorts, the relationships between circulating levels of multiple forms of PCSK9 and cardiometabolic interventions or treatments known to reduce LDL cholesterol levels. METHODS: PCSK9 forms were measured in plasma: (1) in 20 patients before and 6 months after bariatric surgery and (2) in 132 patients before and 12 months after daily statin treatment. A series of specific peptides used as surrogates for various PCSK9 forms were quantified by a novel semiautomated proteomic assay termed protein affinity capture coupled to quantitative mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Bariatric surgery resulted in a decrease in the plasma level of PCSK9 prodomain (P < .05), but did not result in a significant change in other measured PCSK9 forms. Statin treatment resulted in an increase in all measured plasma PCSK9 peptides (P < .001), but a 25% decrease in the phosphorylated state of PCSK9 at S688 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: These unexpected findings indicate that measuring the circulating levels of the various domains and PTMs of PCSK9 provides more in depth information than total PCSK9 and that the prodomain and the phosphorylated state of S688 may represent novel biomarkers to explore in cardiometabolic diseases and response to treatment. In addition, our data generated new hypotheses on the function of PCSK9 PTMs in health and disease.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pheochromocytoma-induced cardiogenic shock.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been extensively used for cardiopulmonary support in cardiogenic shock. However, its clinical value in the management of pheochromocytoma crisis remains unclear. We report a rare case of life-threatening cardiogenic shock managed with peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation combined with endovascular left ventricular venting, in a 40-year-old female patient, in the setting of unknown adrenal pheochromocytoma. We highlight the life-saving role of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in undiagnosed endocrine emergencies, allowing cardiac and end-organ recovery, and giving time for accurate diagnosis and specific treatment in such unusual situations.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in the Postpartum Period: Increased Risk of Bleeding, a Challenging Situation.

The female population represents three-fourths of patients undergoing a bariatric procedure and could be scheduled for surgery in their postpartum period. We report a difficult case of a female patient who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy 6 weeks postpartum. The postpartum period is accompanied by pronounced vasodilatation with transient portal hypertension. Most of the hemodynamic alterations occurring during pregnancy return to baseline within 6-8 weeks after delivery. Bariatric surgery in the postpartum period should be avoided in order for the cardiovascular system to regain its normality.