Patients who underwent gastric bypass may experience improvement to biochemical markers for coronary artery disease, according to a study presented recently at the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Annual Meeting in San Diego.
Researchers evaluated 182 patients (average age 44; 82% women) who underwent gastric bypass surgery. Levels of biochemical cardiac risk factors including cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein A and homocysteine were recorded before the procedures and up to 7 years during follow-ups.
Between preoperative records and termination of follow-up, the patients’ average BMI decreased from 47 to 34 and average weight decreased from 286 pounds to 205 pounds. Among participants who received follow-up, improvement was observed in all reported biochemical markers, including:
- Total cholesterol, from 184 (preoperative) to 174 (postoperative)
- HDL cholesterol, from 44 to 63
- LDL cholesterol, from 113 to 92
- Triglycerides, from 151 to 87
- Lipoprotein A, from 29 to 19
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, from 10.9 to 2.6
- Homocystseine, from 10 to 8.9
- Triglyceride/HDL cholesterol, from 4.0 to 1.8
“This study demonstrates that gastric bypass significantly improves all biochemical markers of [coronary artery disease] risk, particularly C-reactive protein,” the researchers wrote. “As a result, gastric bypass decreases cardiac risk by both weight loss and advantageous alterations of biochemical cardiac risk factors in this comprehensive and long-term study.”
For more information:
- Lodhia N. #PL-114: Long Term Improvement in Biochemical Cardiac Risk Factors Following Gastric Bypass. Presented at: the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Annual Meeting; June 17-22, San Diego.