Blocking Arteries to Block Obesity

Excerpt

Since the inception of bariatric embolization, the landscape of obesity management has changed drastically. Although the scale of this revolution is still hampered by costs and supply issues, efficient weight loss medications, chiefly GLP-1 agonists, such as semaglutide, are now marketed and reimbursed in specific indications. And it is only the beginning. Combination therapies with GLP-1 agonists and a GIP analogue are already in phase 3 trials and triple antagonists have been tested. The latter, retatrutide, may yield weight reduction of up to 22.1% total body weight after one year compared to placebo [1]. Yet, long-term safety of these agents (> 10 years) is unknown and their long-term efficiency depends on continued use. Nonetheless, these drugs have shown improvements in diabetes control as well as reductions in adverse cardiovascular outcomes and this may be beyond weight loss reduction. Therefore, current and future weight management guidelines will prioritize medical management in most patients. …