What effects have been seen from bariatric surgery on long-term outcomes in patients with heart failure?
Several studies have shown that bariatric surgery in patients with heart failure results in significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class. In a retrospective study of 14 patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) who underwent bariatric surgery, there was a decrease in mean body mass index (BMI) from 50.8 2.04 to 36.8 1.72, and a significant improvement in LVEF from 23 2% to 38.5 3.9%. Similarly, in another retrospective report, 12 obese patients with HFrEF who underwent bariatric surgery had improvement in LVEF. However, further prospective studies are needed to better define which patients can be safely referred for bariatric surgery, the optimal surgical techniques, and the effects on long-term outcomes. 