Tirzepatide users hypothesized to retain significant gastric content after fasting, increasing aspiration risk

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are global health crises. GLP-1 receptor agonists, including tirzepatide, are effective treatments but delay gastric emptying and increase gastric volume. Tirzepatide uniquely combines GLP-1 and GIP agonism. This delayed emptying poses a critical risk during anesthesia, as residual gastric content can lead to pulmonary aspiration and chemical pneumonitis, even after recommended fasting. Bedside ultrasonography offers a non-invasive method to assess this aspiration risk.

This observational, cross-sectional study aims to assess gastric content in fasting volunteers and tirzepatide users. The study hypothesizes that most individuals on tirzepatide will present a full stomach despite adhering to standard fasting protocols. Researchers will utilize bedside ultrasonography, a rapid and non-invasive method, to measure gastric content and stratify the risk of pulmonary aspiration in these populations. Specific participant numbers, exact doses, or duration of tirzepatide use were not detailed in the provided abstract.

The provided abstract outlines the study's hypothesis and methodology but does not present any specific results or data from the investigation. The study is described as an "Observational and Cross-sectional Study" with the aim to test a specific hypothesis. Therefore, no quantitative findings, statistical significance (p-values), or fold-changes are available in this preliminary abstract to report. The abstract states:

The central hypothesis of this observational study is that "most individuals using tirzepatide present a full stomach even after fasting times recommended in the literature."