All research presented at ACG 2025 is strictly embargoed until 12:00 pm local Arizona Time, which aligns with Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)/3:00 pm ET on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
P4844 – Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery vs Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy: A Head-to-Head Comparison of Cardiometabolic Risk Profiles
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM PDT | Exhibit Hall
Author Insight from Wissam Ghusn, MD
What’s new here and important for clinicians?
This is the first real-world comparative analysis of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Over one year, MBS achieved greater reductions in body weight and 10-year ASCVD risk compared with GLP-1RA treatment, even after adjusting for baseline characteristics and weight loss. These findings highlight that while both interventions improve cardiometabolic profiles, surgery may confer superior cardiovascular risk reduction for eligible patients.
What do patients need to know?
Both bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk in people with obesity. However, surgical treatment may lead to greater overall improvement in heart health and weight reduction within the first year, suggesting that patients should discuss both options with their healthcare team to choose the approach best suited to their goals and medical conditions.
Author Contact
Wissam Ghusn, MD
Boston Medical Center
Boston, MA
wissamghusn7 [at] gmail.com
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