Virtual PREHAB for Cardiovascular Disease
Trial Summary
Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual PREHAB for Cardiovascular Disease?
Research shows that prehabilitation (pre-surgery exercise and preparation) can improve physical function, reduce hospital stays, and decrease complications for heart surgery patients. Virtual PREHAB, which can be done at home, may help patients get ready for surgery by improving their health and resilience.12345
Is Virtual PREHAB for Cardiovascular Disease safe for humans?
Research on prehabilitation, including virtual programs, suggests it can improve physical and mental fitness before surgery, potentially reducing complications and improving recovery. While specific safety data for Virtual PREHAB is limited, prehabilitation in general has been shown to be beneficial and safe for patients undergoing cardiac procedures.46789
How is the Virtual PREHAB treatment different from other treatments for cardiovascular disease?
Virtual PREHAB is unique because it is a home-based, preoperative exercise program designed to improve physical function and reduce hospital stay for patients awaiting heart surgery. Unlike traditional cardiac rehabilitation, it is delivered virtually, making it more accessible and flexible for patients.26101112
What is the purpose of this trial?
Nova Scotians are aging and many are becoming frailer. People with frailty are more likely to live in worse health and do not recover well from major events, such as open heart surgery. Many people are also too frail to receive open heart surgery. Less invasive procedures called transcatheter aortic valve implantation, or TAVI, are provided for the frailest patients. While TAVI is life-saving, frailer patients are less likely to survive in better health after their operation. Patients in Nova Scotia can also wait up to 3-6 months for their operation where they become frailer or can die before receiving TAVI. The investigators believe that it is important to support these individuals to improve their frailty and overall health before their operation.Center-based cardiac rehabilitation is offered to patients after, but not before TAVI to improve their health. Center-based preoperative cardiac rehabilitation (i.e., PREHAB) can safely improve the function of frail patients who received open heart surgery. However, many patients cannot come to a center-based PREHAB because of transportation requirements to access the program. Another option is to support these patients with virtually delivered PREHAB, where they can stay in their homes. However, this possibility has not been studied.For this study, virtual PREHAB will be delivered using the virtual cardiac rehabilitation program in Nova Scotia to patients before TAVI. This intervention will be delivered by healthcare providers who routinely care for TAVI patients, including a medical director, program lead, nurse, physiotherapist, and dietician. Ther goal of this study is to determine if it is feasible and safe to use virtual PREHAB to reduce frailty before TAVI. This research fits with Research Nova Scotia's priorities to improve patient outcomes in those with significant long-term health conditions, and to provide accessible, safe, and quality virtual healthcare to patients so they can thrive after their operation.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for outpatients in Nova Scotia who are frail and awaiting a less invasive heart valve surgery called TAVI. They must be able to give informed consent. It's not clear who can't join because the exclusion criteria aren't listed.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Virtual PREHAB
Participants receive a virtually delivered preoperative rehabilitation program to reduce frailty before TAVI
TAVI Procedure
Participants undergo the transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the TAVI procedure
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Standard care
- Virtual PREHAB
Virtual PREHAB is already approved in Canada for the following indications:
- Preoperative care for patients undergoing TAVI
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Nova Scotia Health Authority
Lead Sponsor