Surgery risks of diabetes drugs that affect breathing and using airway devices above the vocal cords

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) may delay gastric emptying, affecting traditional fasting guidelines before anesthesia.

• Residual gastric contents could persist despite following standard fasting protocols.
• An increase in aspiration-related complications has not been consistently observed in patients using GLP-1 RAs.
• Airway management decisions, particularly regarding supraglottic airway devices, may need to be tailored to individual risk rather than solely based on fasting duration.
• The effects of GLP-1 RAs on gastric physiology are not fully understood, leading to ongoing discussions about their clinical implications.

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