Metabolic surgery reduces need for diuretics in heart failure patients, improving overall health.

Metabolic surgery can decrease the reliance on oral diuretics for heart failure patients. This surgical intervention targets symptoms like venous and vascular pressure. The researchers detailed their methods and results in the study “Clinical Outcomes of Metabolic Surgery on Diuretic Use in Patients with Heart Failure.” (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Clinical Outcomes of Metabolic Surgery on Diuretic Use in Patients With Heart Failure

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While obesity is widely recognized as a co-morbidity of heart failure, strong evidence suggests that obesity is a leading cause of the condition. The authors hypothesized that metabolic surgery may reduce recurrence of heart failure symptoms. Researchers reviewed more than 2,300 hospital records of patients who underwent metabolic surgery between 2017 and 2023 and identified 63 of those patients with a diagnosis of heart failure prior to surgery.

Reducing Diuretic Dependence in Heart Failure

“The data unearthed in our study further expands the extended benefits of metabolic surgery, including for those with heart failure and heart disease,” said Dr. Philip Schauer, Director of the Metamor Institute, located on the campus of Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, and one of the researchers on the study. “With obesity as a commonly occurring factor in heart failure, the reduction in the use of diuretics following metabolic surgery aligns with similar studies on improvements in post-surgery quality of life. The Metamor Institute and Pennington Biomedical investigative teams are pleased to undertake research that provides further clarity into the benefits of obesity interventions.”

The data in the study showed that for patients with heart failure who underwent metabolic surgery, patients saw a mean weight loss of 29 percent 24 months after the surgery. Furthermore, the weight loss was accompanied by a 65 percent decrease in diuretic use at 24 months after surgery.

“With the high incidence of heart failure and obesity in South Louisiana ongoing research like this is vital to stem the consequences of these diseases and improve the quality of life for our patients.” said Dr. Denzil Moraes, FACC and Chief Medical Director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and co-lead author of the study.

Researchers relied on the use or disuse of diuretics as markers of whether or not the patients with a history of heart failure continued to use the diuretics to treat heart failure induced water build up. Diuretics, also known as “water pills,” are used to enhance kidney function and aid the organ in its role of ridding the body of unneeded water and salt. The removal of this water and salt makes it easier for the heart to pump.

“While there are obvious benefits to metabolic intervention, I am proud that our team continues to affirm the safety of metabolic surgery, elaborate on its effectiveness and add to the long list of benefits such interventions provide,” said Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical. “It is research like this that sets Metamor apart and positions the Institute as a leader in the advanced treatment of obesity and diabetes.”

Reference:

1. Clinical Outcomes of Metabolic Surgery on Diuretic Use in Patients With Heart Failure – (https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(24)00539-3/abstract)

Source-Eurekalert