GLP-1 medications and stomach emptying before elective surgery

Residual Gastric Content and GLP-1

This will test whether longer fasting times (8, 10, or 12 hours) reduce the chance of having a full stomach before elective surgery in adults taking GLP-1 medications.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Arkansas (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Little Rock, Arkansas)
• Trial ID: NCT06814080 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study will enroll adults on GLP-1 receptor agonists who are scheduled for elective surgery and assign them to one of three fasting-duration groups (8, 10, or 12 hours). Participants will be examined prior to anesthesia for residual gastric contents to determine whether their stomach is 'full.' The study will compare the prevalence of full stomachs across the three fasting durations. Results are intended to inform safer preoperative fasting recommendations for patients using long-acting GLP-1 drugs.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older on GLP-1 receptor agonists who are ASA physical status I–III and scheduled for elective surgery are the intended participants.

Not a fit: Patients excluded from the study (for example those who are pregnant, have prior upper GI surgery or disease, are ASA IV or above, have cardiac low ejection fraction, are over 65, have recent GI bleeding, are type 1 diabetics on insulin or sulfonylureas, or take other drugs that delay gastric emptying) and people not taking GLP-1 medications are unlikely to benefit from this trial.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could lower aspiration risk by identifying a safer fasting duration for patients taking GLP-1 medications before surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Previous reports have shown that GLP-1 use is linked to delayed gastric emptying and residual gastric contents after standard fasting, but data on whether extended fasting durations reliably reduce full stomach prevalence are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Age ≥ 18 yr. ASA physical status I- III Elective surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* History of upper gastrointestinal disease or previous surgery on the esophagus, stomach or upper abdomen;
* Documented abnormalities of the upper gastrointestinal tract such as gastric tumors; recent upper gastrointestinal bleeding (within the preceding 1 month).
* Medicines that may delay gastric emptying (e.g., anticholinergic agents, opioid)
* ASA class IV or above
* Unable to understand English
* Cardiac cases with low ejection fraction
* Elderly patients above 65 years of age
* Liver or renal transplant cases
* Type 1 diabetes Patients on insulin or sulphonylurea medication

Where this trial is running

Little Rock, Arkansas

• University of Arkansas for Medical Science — Little Rock, Arkansas, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Mohamed A Abdeldayem, MD

Conditions Pre-op Gastric Emptying