Sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 drugs reminiscent of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others may face issues throughout surgical procedure, latest analysis has proven.
In a single research led by UTHealth Houston, greater than half of sufferers taking GLP-1s had “vital gastric contents” earlier than going into surgical procedure, even when that they had adopted pre-op fasting protocols, based on a press launch on the college’s web site.
This might result in a doubtlessly life-threatening situation known as pulmonary aspiration, when meals or liquid is inhaled into the lungs.
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GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide) receptor agonists are generally prescribed to sufferers with kind 2 diabetes (to stabilize blood glucose ranges) or weight problems (to help with weight reduction).
“These drugs decelerate digestion, which implies meals stays within the abdomen longer,” stated Dr. Alfred Bonati, the founding father of the Bonati Backbone Institute in Florida.
Pulmonary aspiration may cause extreme lung injury, infections and even loss of life, Bonati warned.
“Basic anesthesia can even trigger nausea, and the slowed digestion from weight-loss meds can exacerbate this, resulting in the next danger of vomiting throughout surgical procedure,” he stated.
“These drugs decelerate digestion, which implies meals stays within the abdomen longer.”
Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and part chief at St. Mary’s Medical Middle in Florida, all the time advises his sufferers who’re taking GLP-1 agonists to cease the medicine not less than one week earlier than a surgical process, he stated.
Along with aspiration, Osborn warned of the elevated danger of postoperative ileus, a dysfunction of the intestines after surgical procedure.
“This might predispose sufferers to vital issues, together with bowel ischemia (a uncommon circulatory situation that happens when blood circulation to the intestines is lowered),” he instructed Fox Information Digital.
Therapeutic is a secondary concern amongst sufferers taking GLP-1s, based on Osborn.
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“These following a hypocaloric food plan, as is the case with sufferers on GLP-1 agonists, might doubtlessly inhibit therapeutic and restoration from surgical procedure, which requires a caloric surplus, notably from protein-laden meals,” he stated.
Correct vitamin is essential for tissue restoration, Osborn stated.
“By inducing a relative state of malnutrition, these drugs might be problematic in perioperative sufferers.”
Dr. Jean-Carlos Jimenez, medical director at Attune Med Spa in Connecticut, agreed that these drugs can result in issues throughout surgical procedure.
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“GLP-1 agonists may cause nausea, vomiting and one thing often called delayed gastric emptying, or gastroparesis — which implies the abdomen takes longer than traditional to empty its contents into the small intestines,” he instructed Fox Information Digital by way of electronic mail.
“Residual gastric content material can enhance the danger of pulmonary aspiration throughout anesthesia and doubtlessly worsen post-operative restoration.”
Surgical procedure can also be recognized to change blood sugar ranges as a consequence of stress from the process, Jimenez added.
On account of these dangers, medical doctors agree that sufferers ought to evaluation all of the drugs they’re taking with their surgeon and anesthesiologist.
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For surgical procedures that require sufferers to quick or stay on a transparent liquid food plan, they might want to do that for an extended time period, stated Jimenez.
“The timing of when to cease will rely on the kind of GLP-1 agonists a affected person makes use of, however can vary from holding the every day dose on the day of surgical procedure to holding the scheduled weekly dose one week earlier than a deliberate process,” he instructed Fox Information Digital.
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GLP-1s sometimes might be restarted on the subsequent scheduled dose, however ought to be rigorously monitored by the physician, he suggested.
The timing can rely on the kind of surgical procedure and the affected person’s general situation, based on Bonati.
“It’s essential to comply with the directions supplied by the well being care suppliers, as they are going to tailor the recommendation to your particular person well being wants and the specifics of your surgical procedure,” he added.
In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists printed an announcement warning of the dangers and recommending that sufferers think about pausing their doses within the days or perhaps weeks main as much as an elective surgical process.
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The American Affiliation of Nurse Anesthesiology has issued the same advice.
Fox Information Digital contacted Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, requesting remark.
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