A catheter-based bariatric procedure: Wishful thinking or an intriguing concept.

ABSTRACT

Left gastric artery embolization acutely lowers ghrelin levels and is associated with modest weight loss sustainable for 1 year in morbidly obese patients. The procedure is relative quick, free of access complications when done via the radial artery, but long-term sequelae and the durability of ischemic injury to the fundus of the stomach is uncertain. Present reports provide pilot and proof-of-concept data that should fashion further study, but application to routine practice today is premature.