Routine Nil Per Os Before All Cardiac Catheterisations: Time to Reconsider?

Abstract

Nil per os (NPO) is a common instruction before cardiac catheterisation. NPO was originally adopted from general surgery to minimise gastric contents during procedures and reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration in case of vomiting. However, NPO has since been associated with adverse effects on patient well-being, fasting-related complications, and increased health care costs. These burdens are multiplied by the large number of cardiac catheterisations performed. Advances in anaesthesia and contrast agents may have rendered preprocedural fasting obsolete. Here, we examine the evidence for and against routine NPO practices and consider the possible value of a more targeted approach. Current evidence strongly suggests that not fasting before cardiac catheterisation does not significantly increase the risk of pulmonary aspiration or other complications. Therefore, while further large-scale trials are on-going to confirm the safety of nonfasting, hospitals should begin to reduce fasting periods whenever possible. New guidelines should stratify patients by their risk of aspiration, reserving NPO only for those at high risk.