title: Bariatric Left Gastric Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Obesity: A Review of Gut Hormone Involvement in Energy Homeostasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The global population is becoming more overweight and obese, leading to increases in associated morbidity and mortality rates. Advances in catheter-directed embolotherapy offer the potential for the interventional radiologist to make a contribution to weight loss. Left gastric artery embolization reduces the supply of blood to the gastric fundus and decreases serum levels of ghrelin. Early evidence suggests that this alteration in gut hormone balance leads to changes in energy homeostasis and weight reduction. The pathophysiologic findings and current evidence associated with the use of left gastric artery embolization are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of obesity continues to increase at an alarming rate, and, thus far, advances in medical management have been relatively ineffective in slowing this trend. Lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise are effective initially, but most patients regain the weight in the long term. Bariatric surgery is the most effective strategy for achieving long-term weight loss; however, as with all surgical procedures, it has potential complications.
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anton
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822.
authors.forename: Tariq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhanushali
authors.affiliation: 1 All authors: Department of Radiology, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822.
authors.forename: Aalpen A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013270:Stomach / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D054439:Ghrelin; D020738:Leptin
keywords: bariatric embolization; ghrelin; gut hormone; left gastric artery embolization; obesity; weight loss