Prehabilitation for patients waiting for cardiac surgery

PREhabilitation in Patients Awaiting Acute Inpatient Cardiac SurgEry

This study is testing a program to help patients get stronger and healthier before their heart surgery to see if it can improve their recovery and overall well-being.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Hull (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Hull)
• Trial ID: NCT06275100 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot feasibility study aims to evaluate the practicality of implementing a prehabilitation program for acute inpatients awaiting cardiac surgery at Castle Hill Hospital. The study will assess participant eligibility, recruitment and completion rates, and barriers to implementation, while also measuring secondary outcomes such as safety, quality of life, and physical performance through tests like the 6-minute walk test and hand grip strength. Feedback from participants will be collected to refine the program further. The goal is to improve patient outcomes and recovery by preparing them physically and mentally for surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults over 18 scheduled for acute cardiac surgery at Castle Hill Hospital.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive disabilities, clinical instability, or those who are unable or unwilling to participate in prehabilitation will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved recovery and reduced complications for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While prehabilitation has shown benefits in elective cardiac surgery populations, this study is novel as it focuses on acute inpatients, with no prior published research on this specific approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* All patients over the age of 18 scheduled for acute cardiac surgery in CHH will be given consideration to participate in this clinical trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are unable or unwilling to participate in any of the elements of prehabilitation will be excluded. These include those that have cognitive disability (including unconsciousness), cardiac or clinical instability, functional or anatomical impairment which impairs ability to participate, language barrier or patient refusal. Patients that have impending surgery within 72 hours of arrival to hospital will be excluded. Patients who are awaiting surgery in district hospitals or outside of Castle Hill Hospital will be excluded. A non-exhaustive list of exclusion criteria is included below.

Cardiac/ clinical instability such as:

* Recurrent unstable angina/ crescendo angina
* Untreated decompensated heart failure
* Malignant arrhythmias awaiting treatment
* Resting tachycardia (HR\>100 bpm)
* Left ventricular outflow obstruction such as Aortic Stenosis with pre-syncopal or syncopal symptoms
* Unresolved acute pericarditis or myocarditis
* Second or third degree heart block without pacemaker
* Aortic Dissection
* Myxoma

Functional/ anatomical impairment such as:

* Severe musculoskeletal conditions that would prohibit exercise
* Amputees
* Registered blind

Where this trial is running

Hull

• Hull University Teaching Hospital — Hull, United Kingdom (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Sarah Raut — University of Hull
• Study coordinator: Sarah Raut

Conditions: Cardiac Disease, Aortic Valve Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Endocarditis, Valve Heart Disease