GLP-1 Receptor Agonist continuation before cardiac catheterization assessed for retained gastric contents risk

The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity has led to widespread use of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists. A well-established side effect of these medications is delayed gastric emptying, which can result in retained gastric contents and elevate the risk of pulmonary aspiration during procedures requiring sedation or general anesthesia. Current periprocedural management guidelines for GLP-1/GIP agonist users are largely insufficient, often relying on general fasting recommendations rather than specific evidence. This critical gap presents a clinical dilemma: discontinuing these agents can lead to hyperglycemia and other metabolic disturbances, while continuing them poses a potential aspiration risk during invasive procedures like cardiac catheterization. Understanding how GLP-1R and GIPR activation precisely modulates gastric motility in acute procedural settings is crucial for developing data-driven protocols.

This study was designed to address the significant lack of high-quality data regarding the periprocedural management of GLP-1 and GIP agonists. The primary objective was to compare the risk of clinically significant retained gastric contents in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization who continued their GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy versus those who discontinued it (implied comparator). The research aims to provide essential evidence for informed clinical decisions on whether to continue or temporarily halt these medications before invasive procedures. While specific details such as the patient cohort size, precise dosing protocols, or the exact methodology for assessing gastric contents were not provided in this abstract snippet, the study's focus is on a direct comparison of safety outcomes related to gastric emptying.