The Particulars: The weight loss that is achievable with bariatric surgery may be accompanied by remission of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The effects of bariatric surgery on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), however, remain unclear in patients with systolic heart failure (HF).

Data Breakdown: Investigators compared obese patients with systolic HF who underwent bariatric surgery with matched controls who did not undergo bariatric surgery in a study. They observed an average pre/post LVEF improvement of +6.5% for the surgical group, compared with +1.0% for controls. Postoperative LVEF changes did not correlate with systolic blood pressure changes or echocardiographic intervals.

Take Home Pearl: Obese patients with systolic HF who undergo bariatric surgery appear to experience a significant improvement in LVEF that is unrelated to blood pressure changes or time from surgery.