Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a recognized serologic marker of heart failure and has been associated with cachexia of heart failure. In addition, BNP is positively correlated to adiponectin which is inversely correlated to weight gain. We are aware that gastric bypass leads to early satiety and increases in adiponectin. Our study hypothesis is that surgically induced weight loss will lead to an increase in BNP.
Methods: At a single academic institution (2008-2009), we measured BNP in 100 consecutive gastric bypass patients preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. All RNYGB surgeries were performed by a single surgeon with a 30cc pouch and a 100cm Roux limb. Post-operatively, all patients discontinued diuretics and statins. Weights and BNP levels were measured pre-op and at 3, 6 and 12 months and compared by a paired t-test of equal variance.
Results: Preoperatively, patients were representative of a bariatric surgery population with an average BMI 47, age 43, % female (82), % history of coronary artery disease (5), % hypertension (56), % diabetes (37) and % Sleep Apnea (41). At 12 months post-op, patients had lost 86% of their excess weight. There were significant increases in BNP from pre-op (57) to post–op: 3 months (87) to 6 months (84) to 12 months (119). These increases in BNP correlated to post-operative weight loss.
Conclusion: This novel study demonstrates that surgically induced weight loss leads to increases in B-type natriuretic peptide correlating to weight loss. This correlation of BNP and weight loss may potentially serve as an additional marker and mechanism for satiety.
Session: Podium Presentation
Program Number: S056