ResearchJun 9, 20260 views

Perioperative Desaturation and Postoperative Nausea or Vomiting Requiring Antiemetic Administration in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users Undergoing Ambulatory Ophthalmic Surgery Under Mild-To-Moderate Sedation: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) just got another vote of confidence from a major study out of Toronto. Researchers tracked more than 45,000 outpatient eye surgeries to see if these research peptides caused problems during mild-to-moderate sedation. The answer: no change in oxygen desaturation, but a bump in nausea and vomiting that needed antiemetics.

Diabetes Obes Metab

by Hyung B, Ye XY, Chandrakumar M et al.

“Perioperative Desaturation and Postoperative Nausea or Vomiting Requiring Antiemetic Administration in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users Undergoing Ambulatory Ophthalmic Surgery Under Mild-To-Moderate Sedation: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study. Hyung B(1), Ye XY(2), Chandrakumar M(3), Lovshin JA(4), Peacock SC(1)(3)(5). Author information: (1)Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (2)Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Research Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (3)Kensington Eye Institute, Kensington Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (4)Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Banting and Best Diabetes Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (5)Department of Anesthesia and Pain Management, University Health Network, Sinai Health, and Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AIMS: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are used for glycaemic lowering, weight loss and cardio-renal protection. GLP-1RAs delay gastric emptying and are implicated in perioperative pulmonary aspiration. Cataract eye surgery is the most common outpatient surgical procedure using mild-to-moderate sedation (MMS). We evaluated whether GLP-1RA use is associated with perioperative desaturation and/or postoperative nausea or vomiting (PONV) during ambulatory ophthalmic surgery using MMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational cohort study of adults who underwent surgery under MMS at the Kensington Eye Institute between January 2022 and December 2024 was conducted. Patients were classified as GLP-1RA users or non-users. Primary outcomes were desaturation < 90% and PONV requiring antiemetic administration. Associations were assessed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression adjusted for risk factors and potential confounders using a generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach. RESULTS: A total of 45 636 visits from 30 328 eligible patients were included, of which 1596 (3.5%) visits from 1036 patients were GLP-1RA users. GLP-1RA use was not associated with incidence of desaturation [OR(95% CI): 1.22 (0.38-3.88), p = 0.74]. GLP-1RA use was associated with an increased likelihood of PONV requiring antiemetics [OR(95% CI): 1.93 (1.29-2.89), p = 0.001]. No perioperative or 24-h postoperative aspiration events were identified in either group. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, no desaturation events occurred, although PONV was more frequent amongst GLP-1RA users. These findings support the safety of continued perioperative GLP-1RA use in patients meeting strict institutional pre-procedure screening pathways for short-duration ophthalmic surgeries under MMS in an ambulatory setting but may not extend to higher risk patients excluded by institutional criteria. Future guidelines need to incorporate patient-centred symptomatology to guide clinicians in perioperative management of GLP-1RA use. © 2026 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.”

Here’s the breakdown for researchers watching GLP-1RA safety:

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No difference in perioperative desaturation rates (oxygen below 90%). Odds ratio basically flat, p=0.74.

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Postoperative nausea or vomiting (PONV) was more common in GLP-1RA users. Odds ratio 1.93, p=0.001. If you’re studying PONV or antiemetic use, this is a clear signal.

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Zero aspiration events, perioperatively or in the first 24 hours post-op, in any group.

Key takeaway: For short, routine eye procedures with proper screening, GLP-1RAs are safe to keep in the mix. The researchers didn’t see any of the feared respiratory issues, just more nausea — and that’s manageable with antiemetics. They also remind us this doesn’t apply to high-risk patients excluded by standard criteria. Still, for most outpatient studies, this is a green light.

This adds another layer to the growing body of evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists can be safely researched in a wide variety of settings. If you’re running or planning peptide research in a clinical environment, this is the kind of data that helps you design smarter protocols and manage expectations.

Want to dig deeper into GLP-1 and related research peptides? Check the peptide research index for more studies and context. For those sourcing compounds for their own protocols, the vendor directory has you covered.

Bottom line: GLP-1RAs hold up well under the microscope — even when researchers look for problems, they mostly find manageable ones.

Back to News Read original on Diabetes Obes Metab

Perioperative Desaturation and Postoperative Nausea or Vomiting Requiring Antiemetic Administration in Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Users Undergoing Ambulatory Ophthalmic Surgery Under Mild-To-Moderate Sedation: A Large Retrospective Cohort Study.

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