"The literature provides insufficient data to test the hypothesis that
preprocedure fasting results in a decreased incidence of adverse outcomes in
patients undergoing sedation/analgesia."  "In urgent, emergent, or other
situations when gastric emptying is impaired, the potential for pulmonary
aspiration of gastric contents must be considered in determining the timing
of the intervention and the degree of sedation/analgesia."  (1)

1.  American Society of Anesthesiologists:  Practice guidelines for sedation
and analgesia by non-anesthesiologists.  Anesthesiology 1996; 84:459-471.