Functional Assessment for Surgery by a Timed Walk (FAST Walk)

It is difficult for doctors to predict which patients are more likely to experience complications after a surgery. The aim of this study is to determine whether the results of a walking test, called the 6-Minute Walk Test, and some other simple tests can help identify who is more likely to experience health complications at one month and at three months after surgery.

Bone conditions
Illustration of a researcher looking through a microscope

About the Study

Principal Investigator

Dr. Su-Yin MacDonell

Anesthesiologist; Physician Lead, Perioperative Medicine

Area(s) of Medical Focus

Health Evaluation & Outcomes

Surgical

Condition(s)

Bone conditions

Period of Enrollment

2024-11-14 - 2030-11-30

Participating Sites

St. Paul's Hospital

Purpose of Trial

Every year, about 3 million inpatient surgeries are done worldwide. After these surgeries, 1 in 6 adults are expected to have a major complication. These complications can lead to death, poor functional recovery, and increased health care costs. A key risk factor for issues after surgery is your fitness level before surgery.

The aim of this study is to find out if certain tests before surgery (i.e., 6-minute walk test) can help identify people who are more likely to have complications after surgery. We hope that the results of this study will help improve care for patients having major surgery in the future.

The overall study will take 4 years. We should know results in about 5 years. Your part of the study will only last about 3 months. This is a multicenter trial so we hope to have about 1672 people take part in this study, at hospitals located in Canada and outside of Canada. We expect to recruit about 160 people from St. Paul’s Hospital.

If you choose to take part in the study, there will be some simple tests before your surgery and standard care in hospital. There will also be 2 follow-up phone calls at 1 and 3 months to check-in on your wellness and recovery.

Eligibility

  1. Age ≥40 years
  2. ≥1 risk factors for postoperative complications
  3. Elective non-cardiac surgery with expected post-surgery stay ≥2 days
  4. Preoperative 6 Minute Walk Test is feasible

Associated Resources

Contact Information

Nicola Edwards

Researcher

Additional Information

Study Phase

Phase 4/Post Market