PROPOSAL FOR A PREOPERATIVE FUNCTIONAL OPTIMIZATION PATHWAY FOR PATIENTS CANDIDATE FOR MAJOR SURGERY (CARDIAC AND ABDOMINAL ONCOLOGY) (PRIME CARE)

September 25, 2026 updated by: Luca Guzzetti, ASST Sette Laghi

PRehabilitation With Integrated and Multimodal Evaluation in Cardiac and Abdominal majoR surgEry (PRIME CARE) A Proposed Pathway for Preoperative Functional Optimization in Candidates for Major Surgery

The study aims to evaluate a prehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing cardiac and abdominal surgery. The project for a preparation program for cardiac surgery was developed within the framework of ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery), which aims to ensure optimal recovery after surgery and a Surgery), which aims to ensure optimal recovery after surgery and an early and safe return to daily activities.

The study focuses on the preoperative phase, with the introduction of the concept of prehabilitation, i.e., a program to enhance the functional abilities of individuals in preparation for major surgery. The study focuses on the preoperative phase, introducing the concept of prehabilitation, i.e., a program to enhance the functional abilities of individuals in preparation for major surgery, such as cardiac surgery, on an elective basis.

This program, which currently represents best clinical practice, lasts four weeks and addresses several areas: strengthening respiratory and muscular functions, optimizing nutrition, and cognitive stimulation. Patients will be assessed at enrollment and up to 180 days post-surgery to evaluate their clinical status compared to pre-surgery on these four aspects mentioned above.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Name: Massimo Stella, MD
Phone Number: 0039 0332393447
Email: maxstella95@gmail.com

Study Locations

Italy
- - Varese, Italy, 21100
    - Active, not recruiting
    - ASST Sette Laghi
- VA
  - Varese, VA, Italy, 21052
    - Recruiting
    - Ospedale di Circolo
    - Contact:
      
      Massimo Stella, MD
      
      Phone Number: +39 0332 393447
      
      Email: maxstella95@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This prospective, observational, single-center study will enroll approximately 50 adult patients (≥18 years old) undergoing elective cardiac or major abdominal surgery at Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy. Eligible patients for abdominal surgery must have ASA I-III and PS ECOG ≤2. Key exclusion criteria include emergency surgery, unstable angina, malignant arrhythmias, severe or very severe COPD, dementia, pregnancy, or inability to provide informed consent. Participants will be screened by the surgical team and followed during a personalized prehabilitation program starting about one month before surgery.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Elective major abdominal surgery or elective cardio surgery
American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status Classification ≤ 3
Performance Status according to ECOG Scale ≤ 2

Exclusion Criteria:

Emergency surgery
Unstable angina
Malignant arrythmias
Severe/ very severe COPD
Dementia
Pregnancy
Inability to provide informed consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Observational Models: CASE_ONLY
Time Perspectives: PROSPECTIVE

Number of groups / cohorts

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Eligible patients for major surgery

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
10% improvement from baseline at 6-minutes-walking-test-distance Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	The primary outcome of this study is to evaluate whether prehabilitation translates into an improvement in quality of life before surgery, assessed in terms of functional status. This objective is assessed using the 6-minute walking distance test. A significant improvement is considered to be a positive delta in the six-minute walking test of ≥10% obtained at the assessment performed on the day of admission compared to the value recorded during the first assessment.	From enrollment to the date of surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Increased thickness of the quadriceps femoris muscle Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	An increase in the thickness of the quadriceps femoris muscle will be assessed via ultrasound as a direct sign of an increase in the number and volume of muscle fibres	From enrollment to the date of surgery
Increased cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris muscle Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	An increase in the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris muscle will be assessed via ultrasound as a direct sign of an increase in the number and volume of muscle fibres	From enrollment to the date of surgery
Increased pennation angle of the quadriceps femoris muscle Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	An increase in the pennation angle of the quadriceps femoris muscle, assessed by ultrasound, is a direct sign of increased contractility of the muscle itself, and therefore an indirect index of an increase in muscle strength.	From enrollment to the date of surgery
Change in Pulmonary Function Parameters Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	Change in pulmonary volumes including Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Tiffeneau Index (FEV1/FVC ratio) measured through spirometry at baseline and after completion of prehabilitation.	From enrollment to the date of surgery
Improvement in Functional Performance Tests Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	Change in performance at Handgrip Strength test (Newton), and Maximal Isometric Strength test (Newton), assessed at baseline and after the prehabilitation program. An increase in the value indicates an improvement in functional capacity.	From enrollment to the date of surgery
Change in Diaphragmatic Excursion Time Frame: From enrollment to the date of surgery	Variation in diaphragmatic movement amplitude assessed by ultrasound before and after the prehabilitation period.	From enrollment to the date of surgery
Change in Health-Related Quality of Life (EQ-5D-5L Index) Time Frame: From enrollment to 180 days after discharge	Variation in patient-reported quality of life as assessed by the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The index score will be compared between baseline and preoperative assessment after prehabilitation and also at 30 days and 180days after discharge	From enrollment to 180 days after discharge
Incidence of Postoperative Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit Time Frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural	Occurrence of postoperative delirium evaluated daily during ICU stay using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU).	Perioperative/Periprocedural
Change in Nutritional and Biochemical Markers Time Frame: From enrollment to 30 days after discharge	Variation in nutritional status indicators assessed through blood biochemical parameters (albumin, prealbumin, total protein, lymphocyte count, iron, transferrin, vitamin B12, folic acid, hemoglobin,) before the prehabilitation program, after the prehabilitation program and at 30 days after discharge	From enrollment to 30 days after discharge
Length of Stay in Intensive Care Unit Time Frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural	Duration of ICU stay (in days) from postoperative admission to ICU discharge.	Perioperative/Periprocedural
Total Hospital Length of Stay Time Frame: Perioperative/Periprocedural	Total duration of hospitalization (in days) from admission for surgery to hospital discharge.	Perioperative/Periprocedural
180-Day Mortality Time Frame: From discharge to 180 days after surgery	All-cause mortality evaluated at 180 days after surgery.	From discharge to 180 days after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

ASST Sette Laghi

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

July 29, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 31, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 18, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 25, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

October 1, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)