Optimizing the pre-operative risk profile of older adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled trial
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Date
2016
Authors
Stammers, Andrew
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Abstract
This study determined whether pre-operative exercise and education (PREHAB) improves the frailty status and physical activity behaviour of older adults undergoing elective cardiac surgery, more than standard care (StanC). Using a subset of patients from a multi-centre trial (NCT02219815), twenty-six patients over the age of sixty were randomized to receive StanC (n=12) or PREHAB (n=14). Blinded research assistants collected data at baseline prior to randomization and one week pre-operatively. Changes in frailty were assessed using a 30-item functional frailty index (FFI); whereas, changes in physical activity behaviour were assessed using accelerometers. Baseline data was not different between groups. Frailty status improved by 17%, 5% and 35% amongst StanC, PREHAB “non-completers” and PREHAB “completers”, respectively. No changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity were found pre-operatively. These data suggest that the PREHAB intervention is feasible to implement and may result in improved frailty status amongst frail older adults awaiting elective cardiac surgery.
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Keywords
Preventative medicine, Cardiac surgery, Cardiovascular disease, Clinical trials, Frailty