Gastric ultrasonography to assess semaglutide's delayed emptying for anesthesia management
Background
Treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide is known to slow gastric emptying, causing food to remain in the stomach longer. This physiological effect, while beneficial for diabetes and weight management, poses a significant challenge for anesthesia management. Patients undergoing surgery require an empty stomach to prevent aspiration, but the optimal duration for discontinuing GLP-1RAs pre-operatively remains unknown, creating a critical safety gap in clinical practice. This study aims to address this knowledge deficit.
Study Design
This observational study at Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) will recruit 38 individuals already treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists. Each participant will engage for 7 days, including 3 hospital visits for gastric ultrasonography. On visit days, participants will consume a standard breakfast (minimum of bread, cereals, and/or proteins) between 7-8 am, followed by specific fasting periods: 6 hours for solid food, 2 hours for liquids, and 12 hours for smoking. At 2 PM, an anesthesiologist will perform the ultrasound to evaluate gastric volume.
Why It Matters
This study directly addresses a critical safety concern for the growing number of diabetic patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists who require surgical procedures. Establishing clear, evidence-based pre-operative fasting guidelines for semaglutide and similar GLP-1RA users is paramount. The findings will inform and potentially revise current anesthesia management protocols, significantly reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration during surgery. This research is a crucial step towards safer and more standardized care, impacting clinical practice globally as GLP-1RAs become more prevalent.
semaglutide
glp-1-agonist
gastric-emptying
diabetes
anesthesia
ultrasonography