Anesthetic Guidelines for Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide Receptor Agonists

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to educate anesthesia providers on the current state of the literature for patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1RAs). By presenting this information, providers will be better equipped to manage these patients and remain current on future research as it emerges. Background. GLP-1RAs, originally developed for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), are now also effective in treating obesity. While generally well tolerated, they can cause gastrointestinal (GI) issues, delayed gastric emptying (GE), and complications in anesthetic management, such as increased risk of pulmonary aspiration during surgery. Providers must understand their pharmacological profile, effects on perioperative care, and current preoperative management to mitigate risks. Methods. A comprehensive literature review was conducted and presented in a PowerPoint presentation with accompanying handouts and visuals for DMG anesthesia providers in January 2025. Following the presentation, attendees completed an anonymous post-pre survey to evaluate its effectiveness. The survey results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results. Anesthesia providers' knowledge significantly improved in multiple areas, with p-values ranging from 0.002 to 0.048. Providers also showed increased readiness to implement updated protocols in clinical practice and stay current with future research on the topic. Conclusion. This project demonstrated that the intervention significantly improved anesthesia providers' knowledge and preparedness in managing patients on GLP-1RAs. The positive outcomes emphasize the need for ongoing education and standardized protocols to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes for this rapidly growing patient population.