FARSTER-Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Multi-centre Randomised Controlled trial of standard care versus an accelerated care pathway after cardiac surgery (FARSTER-care).
IRAS ID
334434
Contact name
Dumbor Ngaage
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
In the UK, heart operations have steadily increased since 2010, and 36,166 heart operations were performed in 2016. Following cardiac surgery, patients currently attend their first outpatient review six weeks after hospital discharge, where recovery is assessed and fitness to commence cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is determined. CR is then started from eight weeks. In a survey we conducted in May/June 2017, 35 of the 42 UK cardiac centres responded, and confirmed this as current practice. The long interval before postoperative review and CR extends the period of vulnerability and inactivity for patients, with patients often seeking medical attention for surgery-related complications during this period. In a prospective observational study, we found that 38.9% of patients sought further medical help during this 6-week period, and 44.4% would like an earlier review. Our proposed randomised control trial (RCT) aims to determine if early CR leads to improved outcomes and is cost effective compared to standard CR.
We aim to recruit 588 cardiac surgery participants who have had a sternotomy at UK centres over 24 months and will randomise participants 1:1 to control (standard care) or intervention arms. Participants in the control arm will receive standard post-sternotomy cardiac surgery care which includes specialist review at six weeks after hospital discharge, followed by commencement of CR from eight weeks. Participants in the intervention arm will have specialist review at three weeks after hospital discharge, followed by commencement of CR from four weeks. Both groups will receive eight weeks of CR followed by a post-CR review. In addition to this there will be follow-up appointments for both groups at six and twelve months post-randomisation.
Outcome will be measured through a variety of standard clinical tests as well as questionnaires.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/NW/0036
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion