Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning at Different Time Phases in Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery

Patients undergoing heart valve surgery require cardiopulmonary bypass, a procedure that can lead to a temporary reduction in blood flow to major organs and subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury, thereby triggering postoperative complications such as acute kidney injury and delirium. Current treatments for these complications primarily involve pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Pharmacological interventions are not routinely employed due to limited supporting evidence, while non-pharmacological interventions are labor-intensive and lack systemic protective effects; thus, there is an urgent need for a systemic, non-pharmacological intervention that is easy to implement. This study aims to investigate the organ-protective effects of remote ischemic preconditioning-administered at different time points-following heart valve surgery, with the goal of developing a safe, effective, and clinically scalable nursing intervention protocol. Through this research, the investigators hope to further reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and improve clinical outcomes and prognoses for patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

From Prehabilitation to Rehabilitation (Prehab2Rehab): Digitally Supported Short-Term Prehabilitation Prior to Cardiac Surgery

Prehab2Rehab is a prospective single-arm feasibility study evaluating the implementation of a multimodal, digitally supported prehabilitation program for adults awaiting elective cardiac surgery. During the routine preoperative waiting period, participants receive individualized education, psychosocial support, nutritional counselling, home-based physical activity guidance, and digital self-management support. The study aims to determine the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and safety of integrating this multidisciplinary prehabilitation pathway into routine clinical care. Exploratory outcomes include functional capacity, psychological well-being, nutritional status, digital engagement, and selected perioperative clinical outcomes to inform the design of future confirmatory trials.

Effect of Lithium Carbonate on Postoperative Sleep and Cognitive Function in Patients Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery With Cardiopulmonary Bypass

It has been proved that lithium carbonate can prolong slow wave sleep with few or no side-effects. The aim of the present study is to evaluate postoperative sleep quality of patients undergoing heart valve surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass taken 250mg lithium carbonate after surgery.