Comparing the effects of different bariatric surgeries on the cardiovascular system
BHF Intermediate Clinical Research Fellow and consultant cardiologist Dr Oliver Rider is working out which form of weight loss surgery benefits heart health the most. Obesity causes the heart to enlarge and blood vessels to stiffen. Although dieting and exercising can reverse some of these changes, many of these people will find it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss surgery is one of the best ways to control weight in the long term. Three forms of ‘bariatric’ surgery are routinely performed - gastric bypass, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy. All three result in significant weight loss, but we don’t know which is best at improving heart health. Dr Rider has discovered that bypass might benefit heart health the most because it reduces the amount of visceral or ‘bad’ fat and could reverse negative heart changes. Using a combination of state-of-the-art MRI, exercise testing and echocardiography (heart scans), Dr Rider will carry out a trial to compare these three forms of weight loss surgery and to see which produces the greatest heart and circulatory benefits. This trial will reveal how excess fat is detrimental to health, how obesity leads to heart disease, and which is the most effective surgical treatment for tackling obesity and improving heart health. It will help doctors to better advise their patients and should improve the outcomes for many people.
Project details
| Grant amount | £1,022,219 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Fellowships |
| Application type | Intermediate Clinical Research Fellowship |
| Start Date | 01 November 2016 |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Reference | FS/16/70/32157 |
| Status | In Progress |
