COBALT
Cardiorespiratory Optimisation By Arteriovenous fistula ligation after transplantation – the COBALT feasibility trial.
Chief investigator: Mr Gavin Pettigrew
Primary sponsor: Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge
Funder: NIHR Research, Addenbrooke’s Kidney Patient Association (AKPA), and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Summary
Should we disconnect haemodialysis fistulas in patients after they have been transplanted successfully: the COBALT feasibility study (Cardiorespiratory Optimisation By AVF Ligation after Transplantation).
Study hypothesis
Objectives of this study:
- To conduct a feasibility study involving six centres that mirrors a proposed Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)*, but that uses pre-defined cut-offs with regards to patient recruitment and retention rates to justify progression to the RCT.
- To understand patients’ and healthcare professionals’ perceived acceptability of the proposed trial design and processes, with a view to planning strategies to optimise recruitment and retention for the main RCT.
- To assess feasibility and acceptability of a Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in the kidney transplant population, as judged by the proportion of participants who successfully complete both tests.
- To assess patient compliance with wearing a wrist accelerometer (activity sensor).
*Proposed RCT hypothesis: In stable renal transplant patients, fistula disconnection improves cardiorespiratory fitness, thereby increasing patients’ activity levels and improving quality of life.
Study design
A randomised, open-labelled, interventional feasibility study of a proposed multicentre randomised controlled trial.