Scheenstra B, Mohansingh C, Bongers BC, Dahmen S, Wouters YIMS, Lenssen TF, Geerlings P, Knols HFM, van Kuijk SMJ, Kimman ML, Nieman M, Maessen JG, Van't Hof AWJ, and Peyman SN
Aims: Previous research has shown the possibility to use the pre-operative period to improve a patient's tolerance for surgery. However, there is limited experience with prehabilitation in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a comprehensive personalized teleprehabilitation programme on major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery. Secondary outcomes are post-operative complications, cardiovascular risk factors, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness., Methods and Results: In this single-centre randomized controlled trial, patients are eligible for inclusion when they are ≥18 years of age and cardiac surgery is scheduled at least 8 weeks from informed consent. Participants will be randomized to the teleprehabilitation group or the control group. After a digital baseline screening for perioperative risk factors, patients in the intervention arm can pre-operatively be referred to one or more of the prehabilitation modules (functional exercise training, inspiratory muscle training, psychological support, nutritional support, and/or smoking cessation). The programme is targeted at a duration of at least 6 weeks. It is executed by a multidisciplinary team using (video)calls and supported by a custom-made digital platform. During the pre-operative period, the platform is also used to inform patients about their upcoming surgery and for telemonitoring., Conclusion: Reducing perioperative risk factors might result in a reduction of MACE, post-operative complications, length of stay, and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as improved quality of life. Cost-effectiveness will be evaluated., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)