GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Reduction of Myocardial Injury After Non-cardiac Surgery

Myocardial injury following non-cardiac surgery (MINS) is increasingly recognized as a major cause of peri-operative morbidity and mortality worldwide. MINS is defined as post-operative cardiomyocyte injury that can be detected by high-sensitive troponin assays, which may or may not be associated with symptoms or changes on electrocardiogram (ECG). Globally, it was found that 35.5% patients had MINS with elevated troponin level in the early post-operative period. Post-operative troponin T level strongly correlated with peri-operative mortality. It was demonstrated that elevated troponin T level to 14-20 ng/L after surgery significantly increased 30-day mortality with hazard ratio of 9.11. As the global volume of non-cardiac surgeries continues to increase, there is an urgent need to identify effective strategies to minimize MINS. To date, no pharmacological intervention has been shown to safely reduce MINS.

This study will evaluate the effect of pre-operative glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on MINS. GLP-1 is a peptide hormone produced by intestinal epithelial endocrine L-cells that stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon secretion. GLP-1 RAs have been used to treat both diabetic and non-diabetic conditions. In landmark cardiovascular outcome trials, GLP-1 RAs were shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) when compared with placebo. GLP-A RAs exert beneficial effects by stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Animal studies revealed that a GLP-1 RAs attenuate activation and recruitment of monocytes and macrophages to the arterial wall by suppressing expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and E- selectin (SELE). GLP-1 RAs also suppress vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via the Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) or protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Another key advantage of using GLP-1 RA in the context of surgery is intra-operative stabilization of glycemic level. It is well established that intra-operative hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of MINS. Prospective studies have revealed that GLP-1 RA infusion during the peri-operative period resulted in better glycemic control among diabetic and non-diabetic patients without significantly increasing hypoglycemia risk.

The "Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist for Reduction of Myocardial Injury after Non-Cardiac Surgery" (GLUMINS) trial is an investigator initiated, multi-center, open-labelled Randomized Controlled Trial that will determine the effect of pre-operative GLP-1 RAs on MINS. The study hypothesis is that pre-operative GLP-1 RAs will reduce myocardial injury in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Critically needed new knowledge will be generated about the effectiveness of GLP-1 RAs as a peri-operative intervention to reduce MINS, which may fundamentally alter peri-operative management in non-cardiac surgeries.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Planned elective intermediate to high risk non-cardiac surgery
• Anticipated to remain hospitalized for at least one night after surgery
• Voluntarily agrees to participate by providing written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• History of symptomatic hypoglycemia within 1 month of recruitment
• History of pancreatitis
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
• Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Acute coronary syndrome, decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or myocarditis within 1 month of recruitment
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack within 1 month of recruitment
• Known severe liver disease (Child-Pugh B or C)
• Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation < 15 mL/min)
• Recent use of GLP-1 RA within 1 month of recruitment
• Known allergy or hypersensitivity to GLP-1 RA
• Women of childbearing age who are not taking effective contraception, or who are pregnant or breast-feeding
• Use of Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor(DPP4i)