Effects of Exercise on Thoracic Aneurysms

Launched by LAVAL UNIVERSITY · Dec 12, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how a supervised exercise program might affect people living with a thoracic aortic aneurysm, which is a bulge in the large blood vessel (aorta) that runs through the chest. The researchers want to see if regular exercise can help lower blood pressure, improve fitness and muscle strength, and keep the size of the aneurysm stable over 3 to 6 months. This is important because high blood pressure and the size of the aneurysm can increase the risk of serious problems like rupture.

People who are 18 years or older with a thoracic aortic aneurysm measuring between 3.5 and 5 cm may be eligible to join, as long as they are interested in a supervised exercise program. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group (which does not exercise). Everyone will have their blood pressure, fitness level, and aneurysm size checked before starting, and again at 3 and 6 months. The study is designed to help doctors understand whether exercise is safe and beneficial for people with this condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 18 years and older
• • Have an interest in participating in a supervised exercise training program
• • Aortic diameter between 3,5 and 5 cm
• • Exclusion Criteria
• • Glomerular filtration rate below 30 mL/min/1.73m²
• • Aortic diameter greater than or equal to 5.1 cm
• • Progression of aortic diameter greater than or equal to 0.5 cm per year
• • Allergy to iodine
• • Aortic valve bicuspidy
• • History of aortic surgery or cardiac surgery
• • Presence of an aortic dissection, penetrating aortic ulcer, or intra-mural hematoma of the aorta
• • Presence of Marfan syndrome or other genetic and/or congenital disease explaining the thoracic aortic aneurysm
• • History of stroke
• • Presence of peripheral artery disease
• • History and/or presence of aortitis
• • Known diagnosis of temporal arteritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• • Presence of a pacemaker
• • Major cognitive limitation that may affect adherence to visits
• • Musculoskeletal limitation that restricts participation in the training program