The role of bariatric surgery in normalization of the coagulation profiles

Background: Bariatric surgery achieves appropriate excess weight loss, controlling related co-morbidities, including coagulation abnormalities. Objective: We investigated the change in the coagulation profile after postoperative weight stabilization, correlating between EWL ratio and change in the coagulation profile. Setting: This study took place in our teaching institution (university setting). Methods: Between the years 2012 and 2014, 67 patients underwent surgery; 47 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and 20 patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Average follow-up of postoperative thromboelastography (TEG) parameters was 30 ± 10.8 months (12–77). Average body mass index (BMI) before surgery was 41.7 ± 4.6kg/m², average percentage of EWL at the time of data collection was 79%. Patients were divided into 3 groups, 6 patients had EWL < 50%, 13 had an EWL > 100%, and 48 had EWL between 50% and 100%. Exclusion criteria: use of anticoagulation, antiplatelet, or contraceptive medications; known thrombophilic, renal, hepatic, and hematologic diseases/disorders. Two follow-up groups: 1–2 years and over 2 years. Patients underwent pre and postoperative TEG coagulation studies, including maximal amplitude (MA), and clot strength (G). Results: Coagulation profile improved after bariatric surgery. Most prominent change seen in MA and G. There was a linear correlation between the EWL ratio and improvement of MA values starting at 50% EWL peaking at 60%-70%. There was no difference in the coagulation profile after surgery in the two surgery groups (SG and RYGB). Conclusions: Achieving appropriate weight loss after bariatric surgery improves the coagulation profile as measured by TEG, probably decreasing thromboembolic risk in those patients. We recommend expanding the current indication for bariatric surgery to include patients with altered coagulation profile measured by TEG.