Posted on 01/06/2024 1:45:18 PM PST by ConservativeMind
The days of prolonged fasting prior to cardiac catheterization may be numbered, as the body of evidence grows to allow patients to eat before the procedure.
Building on evidence from several studies that found prolonged fasting may be unnecessary, a randomized, controlled trial at a Midwest heart hospital determined that allowing patients to eat a heart-healthy diet before elective cardiac catheterization posed no safety risk, while improving patient satisfaction and overall care.
"Requiring all patients to fast for six hours or longer has remained an anesthesia guideline for procedures requiring conscious sedation for decades," said Carri Woods, MBA, MSN, RN. "Our findings demonstrate that fasting isn't necessary for every patient, and patient satisfaction and comfort can safely be put at the forefront of care."
The convenience sample included 197 adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac catheterization with conscious sedation and analgesia. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two protocol groups, with 100 patients allowed to eat a specified diet of solid food low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and acidity until the scheduled procedure. The 97 patients in the fasting group were restricted to nothing by mouth, except for sips of water with medications, from midnight until the procedure, which was the hospital's standard practice.
Data were collected before and after sedation and throughout postprocedural assessments. Patients also completed a satisfaction survey at discharge.
In the heart-healthy diet group, satisfaction with the preprocedural diet was significantly higher while thirst and hunger were lower.
No patients in either group experienced postprocedural pneumonia, aspiration, intubation or hypoglycemia. Fatigue, glucose level, gastrointestinal issues and use of loading dose of antiplatelet medication did not differ between the groups.
As a result of the study, the hospital has updated its protocols for inpatient and outpatient cardiology procedures to allow patients to eat prior to sedation.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Why do I think this is more about scheduling issues...
The study.
Protocol was changed based on THAT?!
Fasting prior to surgery isn’t about heart health. It’s about not having you choke on your own vomit or have issues with intimation should that become necessary.
Not being NPO might not be a problem, until you tear something that requires open heart surgery right now, and , whoops you have a full stomach. Hopefully the stress won’t cause them to vomit and using cricoid pressure and suxx you can get a tube in without them aspirating some of their last meal. Intubating through vomit is no bueno.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.