Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia in Surgery Patients on Weight-Loss Medications: American Society of Anesthesiologists Recommendations

2024-03-29 23:37:00
The American Society of Anesthesiologists called for evaluating the use of weight-loss medications before surgery, and informing patients regarding the risks involved.

Dennis Thompson – HealthDay News – People who take one of these weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have a 33 percent higher risk of developing pneumonia from aspiration of bronchodilators during surgery, researchers found.

“Aspiration during or following endoscopy can be devastating,” said researcher Dr. Ali Rezaie, medical director of the GI Motility Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

“If significant, it can lead to respiratory failure, ICU admission and even death,” Rezaie said. “Also mild cases may require close monitoring, respiratory assistance and medications, including antibiotics. “It is important that we take every precaution possible to prevent aspiration from occurring.”

People are usually asked to fast before surgery because general anesthesia can cause nausea and they may inhale and choke on their own vomit.

56% of people taking these medications still have significant amounts of food in their stomach at the time of surgery (Illustrative Image Infobae)

Unfortunately, part of the way GLP-1 receptor agonists help boost weight loss is by slowing down the digestion process, the researchers said. That means it takes longer for food to pass through the stomach.

These results are consistent with guidance issued last year by the American Society of Anesthesiologists that calls for evaluating the use of weight-loss medications before surgery and informing patients regarding the risks involved.

Additionally, another study published earlier this month in the journal JAMA Surgery found that regarding 56% of people taking these medications still have significant amounts of food in their stomach at the time of surgery.

In this latest study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 1 million U.S. patients who underwent endoscopy between January 2018 and December 2020. Endoscopy involves the introduction of long, flexible tubes into the mouth or the anus, through which doctors can examine the gastrointestinal tract for signs of disease.

People who take weight-loss drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have a 33 percent higher risk of developing pneumonia from aspiration during surgery, researchers found (Illustrative Image Infobae)

They found that people taking the weight-loss drugs had a 33 percent higher risk of aspiration pneumonia.

The new study appears in the March 27 issue of the journal Gastroenterology.

“When we apply this risk to the more than 20 million endoscopies performed in the U.S. each year, there might actually be a large number of cases where aspiration might be avoided if the patient safely discontinues their medication.” GLP-1RA in advance,” Rezaie noted in a Cedars Sinai news release.

“The results of this study might change clinical practice,” said lead researcher Dr. Yee Hui Yeo, a clinical fellow in the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cedars-Sinai. “Patients taking these medications and who are scheduled to undergo a procedure should communicate with their healthcare team well in advance to avoid unnecessary and unwanted complications.”

More information: The University of Iowa has more information on fasting before surgery.

SOURCE: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, news release, March 27, 2024

*HealthDay Reporters © The New York Times 2024

1711773342
#study #warned #risks #surgery #people #Ozempic #Wegovy