The Relationship Between Morbid Obesity and Carotid Artery Stenosis

The Relationship Between Morbid Obesity and Carotid Artery Stenosis - a Comparative Prospective Study

The correlation between metabolic syndrome and carotid artery stenosis is well established. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between morbid obesity and carotid artery stenosis.

The investigators hypothesis is that there is a direct relationship between morbid obesity and carotid artery stenosis. The investigators hypothesize that metabolic/Bariatric surgery improves the stenosis in the carotid artery.

This is a prospective comparative study on the candidates for metabolic/Bariatric surgery in the bariatric center, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. The investigators will compare the candidate for metabolic surgery with metabolic syndrome risk factors to the ones without metabolic syndrome risk factors.

The assessment of the carotid artery will be done by Ultrasound Doppler before surgery and 6, 12 and 24 month post surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Candidates for first bariatric surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smokers or past smokers
• Patients who are post carotid artery intervention