Preparative Fasting Before Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography

HaEmek Medical Center, Israel2,148 enrolled

Overview

The study aims to determine whether there is a need for preparative fasting prior to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).

The use of fasting orders for imaging and other procedures is common, this seemingly benign practice can lead to real harms to patients and poor satisfaction with their care. The nothing per os (NPO) order is sometimes used in CT scans because gastrointestinal tract contents can interrupt visualization of the intestinal lumen, but more commonly NPO orders are are thought to protect all supine patients from aspiration during delivery of intravenous contrast. There is limited evidence to support such practice of NPO orders prior to contrast-enhanced CT scans. The authors' main objective is to determine if there is a need for preparative fasting prior to contrast-enhanced CT scans.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

2,148

Conditions

X-ray Contrast Media Adverse Reaction

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: \- Patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT scans Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pateints undergoing CT scans while sedated. 2. Patients under the age of 18 years 3. Patients who suffer from a mental disorder that prevents them: 1. from understanding what s/he consents to and/ or 2. from choosing decisively and/ or 3. from communicating his/her consent 4. Patients who were instructed not to eat due to requirements of a specific study (for example.. computed tomography enterography-CTE)

Locations (1)

Emek Medical Center

Afula, Israel

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Aspiration pneumonitis

Rates of aspiration pneumonitis after contrast-enhanced CT scans

Time frame: Day 1

Secondary Outcomes

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Rates of nausea and vomiting after contrast-enhanced CT scans

Time frame: Hour 1

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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