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A Randomized Trial of Lenient Versus Strict Arm Instruction Post Cardiac Device Surgery

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
Post-Op Complication
Interventions
Behavioral: Strict Arm Restriction
Behavioral: Lenient Arm Restriction
Registration Number
NCT04915261
Lead Sponsor
Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
Brief Summary

The purpose and objectives of this study is to investigate whether reducing the existing arm restrictions on patients who receive Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (CIED) will result in an improved patient experience post operatively and reduce complication rates. There are multiple and varied arm restriction instructions given to patients receiving CIED's with limited universally accepted protocols or advice on restrictions for patients following surgery.

Restrictions such as arm immobilization, showering and weight lifting, in addition to contradictory advice between various hospitals and physicians, can negatively affect patient quality of life and increase patient anxiety with no current evidence for benefit. A cluster cross over randomized trial has been designed to test the comparative effectiveness of lenient vs strict arm restrictions for all patients receiving implantable devices.

Instructions within both arms of this study are considered within reasonable practice in Canada.

All arm restriction instructions and parameters will be embedded within EPIC, nurses will teach the restriction in addition they will be provide to the patients via printed EPIC discharge summaries. Further links will be embedded in the After Visit Summary (AFS) printouts and my Chart for patients in EPIC. These instructions will be changed every 7 months, as per the crossover design of the trial. Additionally, both arms will utilize interactive voice recognition (IVR) to provide patients with further reminders and instruction on arm restrictions.

All patients are given standard of care instructions for follow up and complication assessment through our device clinic and 24/7 on call nursing program.

Detailed Description

The purpose and objectives of this study is to investigate whether reducing the existing restrictions on patients post CIED will result in an improved patient experience post operatively and reduce complication rates. Results from this study will create standardized, postoperative arm restriction recommendations more uniform between various hospitals.

Hypothesis: The investigators hypothesize that outcomes of the post CIED implanted patients given lenient arm restriction will be non-inferior to those with prolonged arm restriction at reducing a combined primary endpoint of lead dislodgement, device infection, clinically significant pocket hematoma, upper limb DVT and frozen shoulder.

Clinical relevance: The investigators anticipate that patients with minimal (lenient) arm restriction will have similar postoperative complication rates compared to the prolonged arm restriction. Should this hypothesis be proven, this will greatly improve patient quality of life post CIED with less stringent restrictions.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
2500
Inclusion Criteria
  • all patients undergoing device surgery which includes implantation of at least one new endovascular lead
Exclusion Criteria
  • Standalone CIED generator replacement

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Strict ArmStrict Arm RestrictionThe strict arm group will be given the following restrictions. These restrictions are the current institutional protocol at the study site and falls within common practice pattern across Canada: 1. No arm or shoulder movement x 24 hours 2. No movement of affected arm overhead x 8 weeks 3. No lifting anything heavier than 5 lbs (2.5kg) and avoid any kind of sports or other vigorous activities including golf, tennis, swimming or sweeping x 8 weeks 4. Avoid any kind of shovelling x 8 weeks
Lenient ArmLenient Arm RestrictionThe lenient arm restriction group will be given the following restrictions. The justification for the selected lenient restriction is based on the current recommendations at a Canadian center as identified by the national survey: 1. No shoveling 7 days, 2. No golfing/swimming/tennis 14 days 3. No other restrictions (overhead activity and weight lifting no limitation)
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Occurring within 52 weeks of index surgery a composite of 1) Lead dislodgement 2) Frozen shoulder 3) Upper arm venous thrombosis 4) Clinically significant hematoma formation 5) infection1 year

Definitions of each component of primary outcome:

1. Lead dislodgement; dislodgment requiring surgical repair

2. Frozen shoulder in this study is defined as Nursing or physician note mention of chronologically related (to index surgery) patient complaint of new or markedly worsened shoulder pain and/or restricted and stiffness of active and passive range of motion

3. Upper arm venous thrombosis

4. Clinically significant hematoma is defined as done in BRUISE CONTROL 2 trial: a hematoma that required re-operation and/or resulted in prolongation of hospitalization and/or required interruption of oral anticoagulation

5. Infection will be categorized into three categories pocket infection, blood stream infection and endocarditis

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Rate of frozen shoulder1 year

3. Rate of frozen shoulder (# of frozen shoulders / total number of procedures performed for each arm)

Rate of lead dislodgement1 year

2. Rate of lead dislodgement (# of lead dislodgements / total number of new leads placed in each arm) separate by type of lead (RA vs. RV vs. LV)

Rates of clinically significant pocket infection1 year

5. Rates of clinically significant pocket infection (# of clinically significant device related infections / total number of procedures performed for each arm)

Rate of hematoma1 year

1. Rate of hematoma (# of clinically significant hematoma / total number of procedures performed for each arm)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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