Aspiration Risk Assessment by Gastric Ultrasound in eMErgency Surgery and ANesThetic Decision-making: The ARGUMENT Study

Launched by SAMUEL LUNENFELD RESEARCH INSTITUTE, MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL · Mar 6, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The ARGUMENT Study is a clinical trial designed to improve patient safety during emergency surgeries by using a special ultrasound technique to assess the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Pulmonary aspiration happens when stomach contents accidentally enter the lungs, which can lead to serious complications. This risk is particularly high in emergency situations where doctors may not know what’s in a patient’s stomach. The study will investigate how using a bedside ultrasound to check the type and amount of stomach contents can help doctors make better decisions about anesthesia, especially since standard methods may not be enough in emergencies.

To participate in this study, patients should be over 18 years old and scheduled for non-elective, non-cardiac surgery, with an American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status of I-III (which means their health is generally good to moderate). However, certain patients may not be eligible, such as those with specific stomach issues, women who are pregnant, or if their doctor decides not to include them. Participants can expect to undergo a gastric ultrasound, which is a simple and quick test, to help ensure their safety during surgery. This study aims to gather important data that could lead to better anesthetic care and ultimately reduce the risk of aspiration during emergency operations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age \>18 years
• • American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) physical status I-III
• • Patients scheduled for non-elective non-cardiac surgery.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Abnormal anatomy of the upper gastro-intestinal tract (including hiatus hernia, gastric tumors, and previous surgeries of the upper gastrointestinal tract).
• • Extrinsic gastric compression obtained from the medical history or during the actual ultrasound examination.
• • Pregnancy.
• • Attending anesthesiologist refusal to include the patient for participation in the study