The CardioFit Trial: Exercise training before AVR surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The CardioFit Trial: The feasibility, safety and tolerability of an exercise training programme in patients with severe aortic stenosis prior to aortic valve replacement surgery: A feasibility trial
IRAS ID
347146
Contact name
Sandy Jack
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The number of people with aortic stenosis is increasing. Surgery is one treatment option, and more aortic valve surgeries are now being done. In cancer patients awaiting surgery, those who are fitter are known to have lower postoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality rates. Prehabilitation services have been established, involving patients undergoing exercise training before surgery to improve their fitness levels. The exercise training programme is known as high-intensity interval training and the level of difficulty is prescribed specifically from a maximal stationary bike test, making the prescription personalised for each patient. However, there is insufficient evidence to support cardiac prehabilitation in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Patients will undergo a symptom-limited maximal exercise test performed on a stationary exercise bike. Once the test has been reviewed by medical professionals, a high-intensity interval training exercise programme will be created using values from the bike test. The exercise training sessions will be supervised by exercise professionals and patients will be asked to attend the hospital three times per week up to the time of surgery for a maximum of 6 weeks. This study aims to improve our understanding of whether exercise training in this group is safe, feasible, and well-tolerated.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0131
Date of REC Opinion
6 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion