Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With High-Genetic-Risk Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: The HGEN-CARE-AC Trial

70 participantsStarted 2026-09

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate a structured and personalized cardiac rehabilitation program for patients diagnosed with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) who carry high-risk genetic mutations. Historically, physical exercise has been strictly restricted in these patients due to the potential risk of triggering life-threatening arrhythmias and accelerating structural heart disease. However, complete inactivity leads to severe physical deconditioning and reduced quality of life. This study aims to address this clinical dilemma by investigating a safe way to prescribe exercise. The primary research question is: Is a supervised, moderate-intensity exercise program safe, and does it avoid increasing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias or worsening right ventricular function compared to standard physical restriction? Secondary objectives include the evaluation of the impact of this tailored physical intervention on the participants' functional capacity, specifically measuring changes in physical fitness and peak oxygen consumption through cardiovascular testing. Additionally, the trial assesses the psychological benefits of the program, analyzing its effects on health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression levels. The experimental group undergoing cardiac rehabilitation will be compared to a control group receiving conventional physical restriction guidelines to determine if the program is both safe and comprehensive.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Participant must be 18 years of age or older at the time of signing the informed consent. * Definite diagnosis of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) according to the 2024 European Task Force criteria. * Documented left or right ventricular involvement confirmed via transthoracic echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), characterized by abnormalities in regional contractility, presence of aneurysms, reduced ejection fraction, and/or late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). * Confirmed presence of a pathogenic or likely pathogenic genetic variant in the LMNA, DSP, FLNC, TMEM43, PLN, or DES genes. * Clinical stability maintained for 3 months or longer prior to inclusion, defined as the absence of hospital admissions, sustained ventricular arrhythmic events, or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) shocks. * Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability or physical contraindication to perform physical exercise at the time of inclusion. * Presence of overlapping phenotypes associated with other non-arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies. * Active pregnancy. * Current engagement in competitive or high-intensity sports or exercise programs at the time of inclusion.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Composite safety endpoint of clinical and arrhythmic events.

Timeframe: From baseline up to 6 months.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07708311

SponsorJuan Jiménez Jáimez

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-09

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (AC, ARVD/C) trials