Cardiovascular Rehabilitation After Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Cardiovascular Rehabilitation After Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm Repair-REHAB-AAA, a Randomised Controlled Pilot Study

Evidence about the benefit of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) after open or endovascular repair of an infrarenal aortic aneurysm is lacking. The positive effect of CR on the cardiovascular fitness, quality of life and mortality is well established in other cardiovascular fields like cardiac surgery.

The aim of this study is to determine whether participation in a structured CR, compared with standard postoperative care (SC), results in greater improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness in patients following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

The study will also evaluate whether CR, compared with SC, improves health-related quality of life, reduces cardiovascular risk-factors and adverse cardiovascular events and preserves of cognitive function over the follow-up period. Furthermore, the number of complications and reoperations will be evaluated.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and an indication for repair, ability to understand and willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute AAA repair
• AAA size ≥7cm
• Para/suprarenal AAA
• AAA due to a connective tissue disorder
• Impaired mobility
• Life expectancy <12 months
• Severe co-morbidities influencing or preventing CR (e.g. ≥COPD II, PAD ≥ Rutherford 3, dialysis)
• Participation in another interventional study that may confound the study endpoints
• Patients <18 years old