Gastric bypass can improve biochemical markers for CAD risk

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.