Bariatric Artery Embolization for Obese Patients. An Up-to-Date Review.

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are one of public health's major problems in the world. Conservative treatment with exercise, diet and pharmacotherapy is often ineffective, especially in the long term. Bariatric surgery is the gold standard method for a sustained long-term weight loss. Recently the endovascular technique of bariatric artery embolization (BAE) has been studied as an obesity and overweight treatment, with promising results. The goal of this article is to analyze the rationale behind BAE and to provide an up-to-date analysis of its strengths and limitation in comparison with bariatric surgery as a treatment for obesity.