Analysis of weight changes after left gastric artery embolization in a cancer-naive population

Diagn Interv Radiol 2018;24(2):94-97

DOI: 10.5152/dir.2018.17412

1. Division of Interventional Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA

2. Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology and Biostatistics and Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA

3. Division of Interventional Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

4. Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

No information available.

No information available

Received Date: 16.10.2017

Accepted Date: 30.01.2018

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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:

We aimed to evaluate weight changes after left gastric artery (LGA) embolization in a retrospective cancer-naive cohort.

METHODS:

A retrospective study was conducted to identify patients who underwent LGA embolization for gastrointestinal bleeding (GI). Patients with known cancer diagnoses at the time of LGA embolization were excluded. Pre- and postprocedure weights were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS:

A total of 39 patients were identified. In 21 patients who had documented pre- and postprocedural weights, a median of 16.3 kg weight loss (P = 0.045) was observed over a median time of 12 months (range, 2–72). In patients who had pre- and postprocedure endoscopies (n=6), 2 had worsening ulcers following LGA embolization and 4 had stable or no abnormal findings.

CONCLUSION:

Our preliminary observation suggests that LGA embolization is well tolerated and results in unintended weight loss. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.