Risk of Falling and Cardiac Rehabilitation
Recruiting now · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Risk of Falling, Elderly (People Aged 65 or More), Cardiovascular Diseases
In brief
Background and Rationale Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a key intervention for patients with chronic heart disease or recent acute cardiovascular events. In elderly and frail patients, CR aims not only to improve functional capacity but also to maintain or recover independence in daily activities. Hospitalization following an acute event often leads to bed rest, which-even after just 2-3 days-can cause hypokinetic syndrome, characterized by loss of muscle tone, orthostatic hypotension, decreased mobility, and psychological decline, including depression. Moreover, immobility increases thrombotic risk and vascular complications. To mitigate these effects, CR is initiated promptly after clinical stabilization and includes three phases: 1. Phase I - In-hospital rehabilitation 2. Phase II - Early outpatient rehabilitation 3. Phase III - Long-term maintenance Elderly patients are particularly vulnerable to falls due to the combined effects of reduced muscle strength, orthostatic hypotension, cognitive decline, and pre-existing sarcopenia-often exacerbated by acute events and immobility. Approximately 60% of cardiac patients hospitalized for acute events present with moderate-to-high fall risk. Fall risk in this population is multifactorial, involving cardiovascular issues (e.g., arrhythmias, orthostatic hypotension), medication effects, and non-cardiac factors such as vision loss, balance impairment, neuromuscular conditions, and cognitive deficits.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT06908759
- Run by
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma
- People needed
- 150
- Starts
- 2024-05-31
- Expected to finish
- 2025-06-30
- Last updated by the study team
- 2025-04-03
Who can join
Age: 65 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Age > 65 years
- Recent acute cardiac event, including:
- Cardiac surgery (CABG, aortic and/or mitral valve replacement, mitral valvuloplasty, or combined CABG + valve surgery)
- Recent myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous revascularization
- Episode of acute heart failure
You may not qualify if…
- Persistent clinical instability, defined as:
- Marked hypotension (BP ≤ 95/60 mmHg) or hypertension (BP ≥ 160/100 mmHg)
- Bradycardia (HR < 50 bpm) or tachycardia (HR > 115 bpm)
- Resting dyspnea
- Signs and symptoms of infection
Where it is running
- IRCCs San Raffaele — Rome, RM, Italy (enrolling)
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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