Rofo 2012; 184 - KOH02
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1300889

Short-term changes in endothelial function and inflammatory status through extensive weight loss in morbid obesity after bariatic surgery

P Peitsmeyer 1, R Herzog 1, O Mann 2, P Busch 2, S Wolter 2, V Rudolph 1, A Klinke 1, S Baldus 1, T Rudolph 1
  • 1Universitäres Herzzentrum Hamburg, Kardiologie, Hamburg
  • 2Universitätsklinikum Hamburg- Eppendorf, Klinik und Poliklinik für Allgemein-, Viszeral- und Thoraxchirurgie, Hamburg

Background:

Obesity is an accreative challenge for health care systems. Due to chronic inflammation obesity leads to an increase of cardiovascular risk. It has been shown that weight loss reduces the long time risk of developing heart diseases. The current study sought to assess the short-term impact of extensive weight loss on endothelial function and markers of inflammation.

Methods:

We examined 46 consecutive patients with morbid obesity (BMI 52.02±1.48kg/m2), who underwent bariatic surgery (gastric bypass). Flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilatation (FMD) was assessed by vascular ultrasound of the brachial artery the day before and three month after surgery. In addition, markers of inflammation (high sensitive CRP; myeloperoxidase MPO) and blood lipid levels were determined.

Results:

After a mean follow up time of 3.6 month BMI decreased from 52.2 to 42.2kg/m2 (p2; MPO: 258 vs. 230pmol/l, p=0.03). Blood lipid levels (cholesterin; low density lipoprotein) showed a downward trend without reaching statistical significance.

Conclusions:

Rapid and extensive weight reduction improves endothelial function and leads to a reduction of inflammatory markers. These changes can already be seen in a short period of time following visceral surgery and they are unrelated to metabolic status.

Fig.1: BMI-change (kg/m2)
Fig. 2: FMD-change (%)