Endoluminal Treatments for Obesity and Related Hypertension: Updates, Review, and Clinical Perspective

Purpose of Review Obesity is a global epidemic that continues to grow and results in related conditions such as hypertension and diabetes despite established interventions, thus suggesting the importance of new technologies. Recent Findings Endoscopic interventions are vast in scope and effectiveness. Intra-gastric balloons appear to dominate the field at this time, but a recent FDA-approved technique, the Aspire device, may soon cause a shift in the treatment paradigm. Short-term studies demonstrate optimistic results, yet long-term studies have not been performed. In addition, complications from these procedures are severe, resulting in significant morbidity when they occur. Treatment of bariatric surgery complications with endoscopic techniques is an expanding field that relies heavily on new innovation. Summary The next few years in bariatric endoscopy promise to be turbulent and controversial. Endoscopic procedures for obesity will undoubtedly increase but are anticipated to do so at a slower rate than many projects. Bariatric surgery complications will continue to be treated by endoscopic means, and optimization of these procedures is on the horizon. This review will provide those who treat obesity-related hypertension on the current state of bariatric endoluminal procedures.