Bariatric Embolization of Arteries for the Treatment of Obesity (BEAT Obesity): Where We Are and Where We Go?

Abstract:
Obesity is a global concern that leads to increased morbidity, mortality, and quality of life decrement and can lead to several comorbid diseases. Traditional therapies for obesity include lifestyle modifications, medical management and bariatric surgery. Bariatric embolization of arteries for the treatment of obesity (BEAT obesity) is a promising method to treat patients with obesity. It is a minimally invasive image guided technique performed by interventional radiologists. The procedure embolizes the gastric fundus through the left gastric artery (LGA) and, in some cases the gastroepiploic artery (GEA). BAET destroys ghrelin-producing cells by causing ischemia in the gastric fundus and decreasing ghrelin production, resulting in decreasing appetite and loss of body weight. Bariatric embolization is well tolerated and has minimal post procedural complication. The safety and preliminary efficacy of BAE for obesity have been verified by several studies