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What is the rationale behind the Anesthesiology recommendation to hold one dose of weekly GLP-RA prior to general anesthesia?

There is a current recommendation from the anesthesia society to hold one dose of GLP-RA prior to general anesthesia. Given the long half-life of the once weekly GLP RAs, what is the rationale behind this recommendation since in most patients, the blood level should be the same on the day of surgery unless the medication were stopped at least 2 weeks before?
1 Answer
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Endocrinology · UNC
Answered on

There is evidence that people treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) more often have residual food in the stomach after an overnight fast and greater gastric volume. There is anecdotal evidence of aspiration events in people treated with GLP-1RA. The ASA statement raises a concern and provid...

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