Perioperative fasting has historically been viewed as a low-risk intervention. However, preliminary data indicate that perioperative loss of nutrition and fluids is likely harmful. This study intends to characterize perioperative fasting practices and their potential effects on clinical outcomes through possible effects on patient well-being (anxiety, hunger, thirst), physiology (hypovolemia, hypotension), perioperative aspiration, etc. We hypothesized that in addition to known adverse effects on patients' well-being, prolonged preoperative fasting adversely affects circulating blood volume-related (hypotension, decreased urine output etc.) and glucose metabolism-related (e.g., hypo/hyperglycemia) perioperative physiology. Additional knowledge on the potential adverse effects of preoperative fasting will inform preoperative fasting policies and research interventions that are relevant to hundreds of millions of patients subjected to preoperative/preprocedural fasting worldwide each year.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
1,200,000
This cohort study assesses the duration of preoperative fasting and its clinical effects
Mass General Brigham
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
RECRUITINGIncidence and severity of fasting-related perioperative complications: pulmonary aspiration; patient well-being (anxiety, hunger, thirst); circulating blood volume-related complications (hypotension, myocardial and kidney injury); dysglycemia.
Time frame: Perioperative period - while patient is located in the preoperative area, procedure area, or recovery area.
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