Update to the study protocol, including statistical analysis plan for a randomized clinical trial comparing comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation after heart valve surgery with control: the CopenHeartVR trial

Kirstine Laerum Sibilitz, Selina Kikkenborg Berg, Tina Birgitte Hansen, Signe Stelling Risom, Trine Bernholdt Rasmussen, Christian Hassager, Lars Køber, Christian Gluud, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Jane Lindschou, Jean Paul Schmid, Rod S Taylor, Ann-Dorthe Zwisler

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

3 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Heart valve diseases are common with an estimated prevalence of 2.5% in the Western world.
The number is rising because of an ageing population. Once symptomatic, heart valve diseases are potentially
lethal, and heavily influence daily living and quality of life. Surgical treatment, either valve replacement or repair,
remains the treatment of choice. However, post-surgery, the transition to daily living may become a physical,
mental and social challenge. We hypothesize that a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program can improve physical
capacity and self-assessed mental health and reduce hospitalization and healthcare costs after heart valve surgery.
Methods: This randomized clinical trial, CopenHeartVR, aims to investigate whether cardiac rehabilitation in addition to
usual care is superior to treatment as usual after heart valve surgery. The trial will randomly allocate 210 patients 1:1 to
an intervention or a control group, using central randomization, and blinded outcome assessment and statistical analyses.
The intervention consists of 12 weeks of physical exercise and a psycho-educational intervention comprising five
consultations. The primary outcome is peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing
with ventilatory gas analysis. The secondary outcome is self-assessed mental health measured by the standardized
questionnaire Short Form-36. Long-term healthcare utilization and mortality as well as biochemistry, echocardiography
and cost-benefit will be assessed. A mixed-method design will be used to evaluate qualitative and quantitative findings,
encompassing a survey-based study before the trial and a qualitative pre- and post-intervention study.
Conclusion: This randomized clinical trial will contribute with evidence of whether cardiac rehabilitation should be
provided after heart valve surgery. The study is approved by the local regional Research Ethics Committee (H-1-2011-157),
and the Danish Data Protection Agency (j.nr. 2007-58-0015).
OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer38
TidsskriftTrials
Vol/bind16
Sider (fra-til)1-3
Antal sider3
ISSN1745-6215
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2015

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