The PREHAAAB Trial: Multimodal Prehabilitation for Patients Awaiting Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Launched by MCGILL UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE/RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MCGILL UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE · Feb 23, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The PREHAAAB Trial is a study designed to help patients who are waiting for surgery to fix an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An AAA occurs when the main artery in the abdomen becomes enlarged, which can be dangerous if it bursts. This trial will explore whether a special pre-surgery program that includes exercise, nutritional guidance, and emotional support can help reduce complications during and after surgery. The goal is to help patients recover faster and take a more active role in their health.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be over 50 years old and scheduled for elective surgery to repair an AAA that is 6.9 cm or smaller. Those who have larger aneurysms, certain other medical conditions, or significant physical limitations may not be able to participate. If you join the study, you can expect to engage in activities that improve your overall health before surgery, which may lead to better outcomes afterward. This program is not only about preparing for surgery but also aims to teach lifelong healthy habits.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Participants older than 50 years of age awaiting elective open AAA repair with AAA diameter ≤6.9cm. Participants should have the ability to give informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants undergoing thoracic, thoracoabdominal and/or perivisceral AAA repair.
• • Participants with ruptured or symptomatic AAA.
• • Participants with AAA maximal diameter ≥7cm.
• • Physical inability to exercise: severe osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal or neurological impairment that precludes exercise.
• • Contraindication to exercise: rest systolic blood pressure ≥ 180 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥ 100 mmHg, uncontrolled atrial or ventricular arrythmias or proven exercise induced arrhythmias, unstable angina, unstable or acute heart failure, severe symptomatic valvular stenosis, dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction or other comorbidities that imply clinical instability.
• • Cognitive impairment that would impede understanding of study procedures, informed consent or study questionnaires or the inability to effectively communicate in English/French/Spanish/Catalan.