Clinical outcomes after cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients with and without diabetes mellitus: The EU-CaRE multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of current cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs across seven European countries between elderly cardiac patients with and without DM. METHODS: 1633 acute and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and patients after valve intervention with an age 65 or above who participated in comprehensive CR (3 weeks to 3 months, depending on centre) were included. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), body mass index, resting systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were assessed before start of CR, at termination of CR (variable time point), and 12 months after start of CR, with no intervention after CR. Baseline values and changes from baseline to 12-month follow-up were compared between patients with and without DM using mixed models, and mortality and hospitalisation rates using logistic regression. RESULTS: 430 (26.3%) patients had DM. Patients with DM had more body fat, lower educational level, more comorbidities, cardiovascular risk factors, and more advanced CAD. Both groups increased their VO2 peak over the study period but with a significantly lower improvement from baseline to follow-up in patients with DM. In the DM group, change in HbA1c was associated with weight change but not with change in absolute VO2 peak. 12-month cardiac mortality was higher in patients with DM. CONCLUSIONS: While immediate improvements in VO2 peak after CR in elderly patients with and without DM were similar, 12-month maintenance of this improvement was inferior in patients with DM, possibly related to disease progression. Glycemic control was less favourable in diabetic patients needing insulin in the short- and long-term. Since glycemic control was only related to weight loss but not to increase in exercise capacity, this highlights the importance of weight loss in obese DM patients during CR. Trial registration NTR5306 at trialregister.nl; trial registered 07/16/2015; https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/5166.

Rationale and design of a randomised clinical trial for an extended cardiac rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring: the TeleCaRe study.

BACKGROUND: Despite the known positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation and an active lifestyle, evidence is emerging that it is difficult to attain and sustain the minimum recommendations of leisure time physical activity. The long-term benefits are often disappointing due to lack of adherence to the changes in life style. Qualitative research on patients' perspectives suggests that motivation for lifestyle change tends to diminish around 3 months after the index-event. The time most cardiac rehabilitation programmes end. The aim of the present study is to determine if prolongation of a traditional cardiac rehabilitation programme with additional heart rate based telemonitoring guidance for a period of 6 months results in better long term effects on physical and mental outcomes, care consumption and quality of life than traditional follow-up. METHODS: In this single centre randomised controlled trial 120 patients with an absolute indication for cardiac rehabilitation will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to an intervention group with 6 months of heart rate based telemonitoring guidance or a control group with traditional follow-up after cardiac rehabilitation. The primary endpoint will be VO2peak after 12 months. Secondary endpoints are VO2peak after 6 months, quality of life, physical-, emotional- and social functioning, cardiac structure, traditional risk profile, compliance to the use of the heart rate belt and smartphone, MACE and care-consumption. DISCUSSION: The TeleCaRe study will provide insight into the added value of the prolongation of traditional cardiac rehabilitation with 6 months of heart rate based telemonitoring guidance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register: NTR4644 (registered 06/12/14).

Breathing pattern and pulmonary gas exchange in elderly patients with and without left ventricular dysfunction-modification with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and prognostic value.

Background: Inefficient ventilation is an established prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. It is not known whether inefficient ventilation is also linked to poor prognosis in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) but without overt heart failure. Objectives: To investigate whether inefficient ventilation in elderly patients with LVD is more common than in patients without LVD, whether it improves with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR), and whether it is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Methods: In this large multicentre observational longitudinal study, patients aged ≥65 years with acute or chronic coronary syndromes (ACS, CCS) without cardiac surgery who participated in a study on the effectiveness of exCR in seven European countries were included. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed before, at the termination of exCR, and at 12 months follow-up. Ventilation (VE), breathing frequency (BF), tidal volume (VT), and end-expiratory carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2) were measured at rest, at the first ventilatory threshold, and at peak exercise. Ventilatory parameters were compared between patients with and without LVD (based on cardio-echography) and related to MACE at 12 month follow-up. Results: In 818 patients, age was 72.5 ± 5.4 years, 21.9% were women, 79.8% had ACS, and 151 (18%) had LVD. Compared to noLVD, in LVD resting VE was increased by 8%, resting BF by 6%, peak VE, peak VT, and peak PETCO2 reduced by 6%, 8%, and 5%, respectively, and VE/VCO2 slope increased by 11%. From before to after exCR, resting VE decreased and peak PETCO2 increased significantly more in patients with compared to without LVD. In LVD, higher resting BF, higher nadir VE/VCO2, and lower peak PETCO2 at baseline were associated with MACE. Conclusions: Similarly to patients with HF, in elderly patients with ischemic LVD, inefficient resting and exercise ventilation was associated with worse outcomes, and ExCR alleviated abnormal breathing patterns and gas exchange parameters.

Identifying Reasons for Nonattendance and Noncompletion of Cardiac Rehabilitation: INSIGHTS FROM GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS.

PURPOSE: Despite strong recommendations and beneficial health effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation rates remain low. Little data are available on reasons beyond quantitative factors in the underutilization of CR. The aim of this study was to identify personal reasons for nonattenders and noncompletions of CR among Dutch and German patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) eligible for CR. METHODS: Between December 2017 and January 2019, a total of 4265 questionnaires were distributed among eligible patients for CR in the bordering area of the eastern Netherlands and western Germany. Patients were eligible if they had an indication for CR according to national guidelines. Questionnaires were used to assess reasons of nonattendance and noncompletion of CR, when applicable. RESULTS: A total of 1829 patients with CVD completed the questionnaire. Of these, 1278 indicated that they received referral to CR. Despite referral, 192 patients decided not to participate in CR and 88 patients with CVD withdrew from the CR program. The three most reported reasons for nonattendance were as follows: (1) did not need the supervision (56%, n = 108), (2) did not need the CR trajectory (55%, n = 105), and (3) already exercised regularly (39%, n = 74). The most reported reasons for noncompletion were as follows: (1) could no longer participate because of other physical problems (30%, n = 26), (2) did not need the CR trajectory (26%, n = 23), and (3) the CR program was not personal enough (23%, n = 20). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients had motivational or perceptive reasons for nonattendance or noncompletion to CR. These possible misconceptions as well as perceived shortcomings of traditional CR underline the need for adequate motivation, information, and more personalized solutions (eg, eHealth, home-based CR) to increase the uptake and completion of CR.

The sustained effects of extending cardiac rehabilitation with a six-month telemonitoring and telecoaching programme on fitness, quality of life, cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in CAD patients: The TeleCaRe study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sustained effects of a six-month heart-rate-based telerehabilitation programme, following the completion of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), on peak oxygen uptake (peakVO2), quality of life (QoL), cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with CAD were randomised, after the completion of CR, to an intervention group with six months of telemonitoring and telecoaching (TELE) or a control group with a traditional six-month follow-up programme with monthly calls (CON). The primary outcome was peakVO2 at 12 months, to assess the sustained effects of TELE. The secondary outcomes included QoL, cardiovascular risk factors (lipid spectrum), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and habitual physical activity. RESULTS: PeakVO2 increased significantly from baseline to 12 months in TELE (+2.5 mL·kg-1min-1 (95% CI 1.5-3.2)) and CON (+1.9 mL·kg-1min-1 (95% CI 1.0-2.5)), and did not differ between groups (P = 0.28). Similarly, QoL (P = 0.31), total cholesterol (P = 0.45), MACE (P = 0.86) did not differ between groups and in time. DISCUSSION: Extending CR with a heart-rate-based telerehabilitation programme did not yield additional sustainable health benefits compared with regular care with monthly telephone calls. These observations highlight that both telerehabilitation and regular care with monthly telephone calls may prevent the typically observed reductions in peakVO2 following the completion of a CR programme.Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register NL4140 (registered 6 December 2014).

Changes and prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters in elderly patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation: The EU-CaRE observational study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed 1) to test the applicability of the previously suggested prognostic value of CPET to elderly cardiac rehabilitation patients and 2) to explore the underlying mechanism of the greater improvement in exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption, VO2) after CR in surgical compared to non-surgical cardiac patients. METHODS: Elderly patients (≥65 years) commencing CR after coronary artery bypass grafting, surgical valve replacement (surgery-group), percutaneous coronary intervention, percutaneous valve replacement or without revascularisation (non-surgery group) were included in the prospective multi-center EU-CaRE study. CPETs were performed at start of CR, end of CR and 1-year-follow-up. Logistic models and receiver operating characteristics were used to determine prognostic values of CPET parameters for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Linear models were performed for change in peak VO2 (start to follow-up) and parameters accounting for the difference between surgery and non-surgery patients were sought. RESULTS: 1421 out of 1633 EU-CaRE patients performed a valid CPET at start of CR (age 73±5.4, 81% male). No CPET parameter further improved the receiver operation characteristics significantly beyond the model with only clinical parameters. The higher improvement in peak VO2 (25% vs. 7%) in the surgical group disappeared when adjusted for changes in peak tidal volume and haemoglobin. CONCLUSION: CPET did not improve the prediction of MACE in elderly CR patients. The higher improvement of exercise capacity in surgery patients was mainly driven by restoration of haemoglobin levels and improvement in respiratory function after sternotomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register, Trial NL5166.

Predictors for one-year outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factor control after cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients: The EU-CaRE study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies on effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in elderly cardiovascular disease patients are rare, and it is unknown, which patients benefit most. We aimed to identify predictors for 1-year outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and CV risk factor (CVRF) control in patients after completing CR programs offered across seven European countries. METHODS: Cardiovascular disease patients with minimal age 65 years who participated in comprehensive CR were included in this observational study. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2), body mass index (BMI), resting systolic blood pressure (BPsys), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed before CR (T0), at termination of CR (T1), and 12 months after start of CR (T2). Predictors for changes were identified by multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Data was available from 1241 out of 1633 EU-CaRE patients. The strongest predictor for improvement in peak VO2 was open chest surgery, with a nearly four-fold increase in surgery compared to non-surgery patients. In patients after surgery, age, female sex, physical inactivity and time from index event to T0 were negative predictors for improvement in peak VO2. In patients without surgery, previous acute coronary syndrome and higher exercise capacity at T0 were the only negative predictors. Neither number of attended training sessions nor duration of CR were significantly associated with change in peak VO2. Non-surgery patients were more likely to achieve risk factor targets (BPsys, LDL-C, BMI) than surgery patients. CONCLUSIONS: In a previously understudied population of elderly CR patients, time between index event and start of CR in surgery and disease severity in non-surgery patients were the most important predictors for long-term improvement of peak VO2. Non-surgery patients had better CVRF control.

Greater burden of risk factors and less effect of cardiac rehabilitation in elderly with low educational attainment: The Eu-CaRE study.

AIMS: Socioeconomic status is a strong predictor of cardiovascular health. The aim of this study was to describe the immediate and long-term effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) across socioeconomic strata in elderly cardiac patients in Europe. METHODS AND RESULTS: The observational EU-CaRE study is a prospective study with eight CR sites in seven European countries. Patients ≥65 years with coronary heart disease or heart valve surgery participating in CR were consecutively included. Data were obtained at baseline, end of CR and at one-year follow up. Educational level as a marker for socioeconomic status was divided into basic, intermediate and high. The primary endpoint was exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak)). Secondary endpoints were cardiovascular risk factors, medical treatment and scores for depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL). A total of 1626 patients were included; 28% had basic, 48% intermediate and 24% high education. A total of 1515 and 1448 patients were available for follow-up analyses at end of CR and one-year, respectively. Patients with basic education were older and more often female. At baseline we found a socioeconomic gradient in VO2peak, lifestyle-related cardiovascular risk factors, anxiety, depression and QoL. The socioeconomic gap in VO2peak increased following CR (p for interaction <0.001). The socioeconomic gap in secondary outcomes was unaffected by CR. The use of evidence-based medication was good in all socioeconomic groups. CONCLUSIONS: We found a strong socioeconomic gradient in VO2peak and cardiovascular risk factors that was unaffected or worsened after CR. To address inequity in cardiovascular health, the individual adaption of CR according to socioeconomic needs should be considered.

Sedentary behaviour in cardiovascular disease patients: Risk group identification and the impact of cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour (SB) is potentially an important target to improve cardiovascular health. This study 1) compared SB between cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients and age-matched controls, 2) identified characteristics associated with high SB levels, and 3) determined the impact of contemporary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on SB. METHODS: For objective 1, we recruited 131 CVD patients and 117 controls. All participants were asked about their general characteristics and medical history. SB was assessed by an objective accelerometer (activPAL3 micro). For objective 2, 2584 CVD patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire about their general characteristics, lifestyle, medical history and their SB. For objective 3, 131 CVD patients were followed over time and measured, pre-, directly post- and 2 months post-CR. RESULTS: Objective 1. CVD patients spent 10.4 h/day (Q25 9.5; Q75 11.2) sedentary which was higher compared to healthy controls (9.4 h/day [Q25 8.4; Q75 10.29]). Objective 2. CVD patients being male, single or divorced, employed, physically inactive, reporting high alcohol consumption, living in an urban environment, having comorbidities and cardiac anxiety demonstrated a greater odds for large amounts of SB. Objective 3. The CR program significantly reduced sedentary time (-0.4 h/day [95%CI -0.7; -0.1]), which remained lower at 2-months post-CR (-0.3 h/day [95%CI -0.6; -0.03]). CONCLUSIONS: CVD patients had greater amounts of objectively measured sedentary time compared to healthy controls. Sedentarism was associated with personal- and lifestyle characteristics, and comorbidities. Participation in a contemporary CR program slightly reduced sedentary time, but tailored interventions are needed to target SB in CVD patients.

Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation With All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease in the Netherlands.

Importance: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes, but it remains underused in some subgroups of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Objective: To investigate the implications of sex, age, socioeconomic status, CVD diagnosis, cardiothoracic surgery, and comorbidity for the association between CR participation and all-cause mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants: Observational cohort study with patient enrollment between July 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, and a follow-up to March 19, 2020. The dates of analysis were March to May 2020. This study was performed among Dutch patients with CVD with a multidisciplinary outpatient CR program indication and who were insured at Coöperatie Volksgezondheidszorg, one of the largest health insurance companies in the Netherlands. Among 4.1 million beneficiaries, patients with CVD with an acute coronary event (myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris), stable angina pectoris, chronic heart failure, or cardiothoracic surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, or percutaneous coronary intervention) were identified by inpatient diagnosis codes and included in the study. Main Outcomes and Measures: Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between CR participation and all-cause mortality. Stabilized inverse propensity score weighting was used to account for patient and disease characteristics associated with CR participation. Results: Among 83 687 eligible patients with CVD (mean [SD] age, 67 [12] years; 60.4% [n = 50 512] men), only 31.3% (n = 26 171) participated in CR, with large variation across different subgroups (range, 5.1%-73.0%). During a mean (SD) of 4.7 (1.8) years of follow-up, 1966 CR participants (7.5%) and 13 443 CR nonparticipants (23.4%) died. After multivariable adjustment, CR participation was associated with a 32% lower risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.65-0.71) compared with nonparticipation. Sex, age, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity did not alter risk reduction after CR participation, but a statistically significant interaction association was found across categories of CVD diagnosis and cardiothoracic surgery. Larger reductions in risk estimates for all-cause mortality were found after CR participation for STEMI (adjusted HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.52-0.68 vs 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79; P < .001), NSTEMI (adjusted HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.58-0.70 vs 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79; P < .001), and stable AP (adjusted HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.63-0.76 vs 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79; P < .001) compared with patients with chronic heart failure, whereas unstable AP had a smaller risk reduction (adjusted HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.85 vs 0.72; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79; P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, CR participation was associated with a 32% risk reduction in all-cause mortality, and this benefit was independent of sex, age, socioeconomic status, and comorbidity. These findings reinforce the importance of CR participation in secondary prevention and highlight the possibility that CR should be prescribed more widely to vulnerable patients with CVD, such as older adults with chronic diseases or multimorbidity.

Training intensity and improvements in exercise capacity in elderly patients undergoing European cardiac rehabilitation - the EU-CaRE multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Guidelines for exercise intensity prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) are inconsistent and have recently been discussed controversially. We aimed (1) to compare training intensities between European CR centres and (2) to assess associations between training intensity and improvement in peak oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]O2) in elderly CR patients. METHODS: Peak [Formula: see text]O2, heart rate and work rate (WR) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds were measured at start of CR. Training heart rate was measured during three sessions spread over the CR. Multivariate models were used to compare training characteristics between centres and to assess the effect of training intensity on change in peak [Formula: see text]O2. RESULTS: Training intensity was measured in 1011 out of 1633 EU-CaRE patients in 7 of 8 centers and the first and secondary ventilatory threshold were identified in 1166 and 817 patients, respectively. The first and second ventilatory threshold were found at 44% (SD 16%) and 78% (SD 9%) of peak WR and 78% (SD 9%) and 89% (SD 5%) of peak heart rate, respectively. Training intensity and session duration varied significantly between centres but change in peak [Formula: see text]O2 over CR did not. Training above the first individual threshold (ß 0.62, 95% confidence interval [0.25-1.02]) and increase in training volume per hour (ß 0.06, 95%CI [0.01-0.12]) were associated with a higher change in peak [Formula: see text]O2. CONCLUSION: While training intensity and volume varied greatly amongst current European CR programs, changes in peak [Formula: see text]O2 were similar and the effect of training characteristics on these changes were small.

Predictors of pre-rehabilitation exercise capacity in elderly European cardiac patients - The EU-CaRE study.

AIMS: Functional capacity is an important endpoint for therapies oriented to older adults with cardiovascular diseases. The literature on predictors of exercise capacity is sparse in the elderly population. In a longitudinal European study on effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation of seven European countries in elderly (>65 years) coronary artery disease or valvular heart disease patients, predictors for baseline exercise capacity were determined, and reference ranges for elderly cardiac patients provided. METHODS: Mixed models were performed in 1282 patients (mean age 72.9 ± 5.4 years, 79% male) for peak oxygen consumption relative to weight (peak VO2; ml/kg per min) with centre as random factor and patient anthropometric, demographic, social, psychological and nutritional parameters, as well as disease aetiology, procedure, comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors as fixed factors. RESULTS: The most important predictors for low peak VO2 were coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery, low resting forced expiratory volume, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, nephropathy and peripheral arterial disease. Each cumulative comorbidity or cardiovascular risk factors reduced exercise capacity by 1.7 ml/kg per min and 1.1 ml/kg per min, respectively. Males had a higher peak VO2 per body mass but not per lean mass. Haemoglobin was significantly linked to peak VO2 in both surgery and non-surgery patients. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical procedures, cumulative comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors were the factors with the strongest relation to reduced exercise capacity in the elderly. Expression of peak VO2 per lean mass rather than body mass allows a more appropriate comparison between sexes. Haemoglobin is strongly related to peak VO2 and should be considered in studies assessing exercise capacity, especially in studies on patients after cardiac surgery.

Cardiac rehabilitation of elderly patients in eight rehabilitation units in western Europe: Outcome data from the EU-CaRE multi-centre observational study.

AIMS: The European Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Elderly (EU-CaRE) HORIZON 2020 project compares the sustainable effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in elderly patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1633 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart valve replacement (HVR), with or without revascularization, aged 65 or above, who participated in CR were included. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), smoking, body mass index, diet, physical activity, serum lipids, psychological distress and medication were assessed before and after CR (T0 and T1) and after 12 months (T2). Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or surgical HVR had lower VO2peak at T0 and a greater increase to T1 and T2 (2.8 and 4.4 ml/kg/min, respectively) than CAD patients undergoing percutaneous or no revascularization (1.6 and 1.4 ml/kg/min, respectively). After multivariable adjustment, earlier CR uptake was associated with greater improvements in VO2peak. The proportion of CAD patients with three or more uncontrolled risk factors declined from 58.4% at T0 to 40.1% at T2 (p < 0.0001). Psychological distress scores all improved and adherence to medication was overall good at all sites. There were significant differences in risk factor burden across sites, but no CR program was superior to others. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of VO2peak in CR programs across Europe seemed mainly determined by timing of uptake and were maintained or even further improved at 1-year follow-up. Despite significant improvements, 40.1% of CAD patients still had three or more risk factors not at target after 1 year. Differences across sites could not be ascribed to characteristics of the CR programs offered.

Cardiac rehabilitation in the elderly patient in eight rehabilitation units in Western Europe: Baseline data from the EU-CaRE multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the progressive deconditioning, comorbidities and higher complication rates, elderly patients are in particular need of cardiac rehabilitation. We compared elderly patients (65+ years old) participating in cardiac rehabilitation, focusing on baseline characteristics, risk factor control and functional assessment. METHODS: The EU-CaRE study is a prospective study comparing cardiac rehabilitation in eight centres across Western Europe. Consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome, stable coronary artery disease and heart valve replacement undergoing cardiac rehabilitation were included. RESULTS: Of 1633 patients (median age 72 years) participating, 54% had acute coronary syndrome, 33% had stable coronary artery disease and 13% followed valve replacement. Fifty-five per cent had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention and 29% coronary artery bypass grafting. Characteristics varied across centres: 23% (17-27%) were women, 4% (0-12%) were of non-European origin and 16% (4-32%) were living alone. Median time from index event to start of cardiac rehabilitation varied from 11 to 49 days (p < 0.001). Mean VO2peak was relatively low (16 mL/kg per min) and varied significantly between the participating centres, largely unaffected by multivariable adjustment. Overall patients received guideline recommended treatment: 93% (87-97%) were on a statin and 70% (55-85%) an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker. However, risk factor control was inadequate: 58% had three or more risk factors not controlled. CONCLUSION: EU-CaRE provides a snapshot of the elderly population with heart disease participating in cardiac rehabilitation across countries in Western Europe. Risk factors and exercise capacity indicate the continued need for cardiac rehabilitation in these patients. Of concern, the lag-time to start of cardiac rehabilitation needs improvement in many centres.

Absence of Fitness Improvement Is Associated with Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the clinical effect of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and improvements in CRF after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in heart failure (HF) patients for their risk for all-cause mortality and unplanned hospitalization and to investigate possible factors associated with the absence of improvement in CRF after rehabilitation. METHODS: We included 155 HF patients receiving CR between October 2009 and January 2015. Patients performed an incremental bicycle test to assess CRF through peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2-peak) before and after CR-based supervised exercise training. Patients were classified as responders or nonresponders on the basis of pre-to-post CR changes in V˙O2-peak (≥6% and <6%, respectively). Cox proportional hazards models evaluated all-cause mortality and unplanned hospitalization during 5 yr of follow-up. Patient characteristics, HF features, and comorbidities were used to predict changes in V˙O2-peak using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Seventy HF patients (45%) were classified as responder. Nonresponders had a significantly higher risk for all-cause mortality or hospitalization (hazard ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.17-3.94) compared with responders. This was even higher in nonresponders with low CRF at baseline (hazard ratio, 4.88; 95% CI, 1.71-13.93). Factors associated with nonresponse to CR were age (odds ratio (OR), 1.07/yr; 95% CI, 1.03-1.11), baseline V˙O2-peak (OR, 1.16 mL·min·kg; 95% CI, 1.06-1.26), and adherence to CR (OR, 0.98/percentage; 95% CI, 0.96-0.998). CONCLUSIONS: Independent from baseline CRF, the inability to improve V˙O2-peak by CR doubled the risk for death or unplanned hospitalization. The combination of lower baseline CRF and nonresponse was associated with even poorer clinical outcomes. Especially older HF patients with higher baseline V˙O2-peak and lower adherence have a higher probability of becoming a nonresponder.

A EUropean study on effectiveness and sustainability of current Cardiac Rehabilitation programmes in the Elderly: Design of the EU-CaRE randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based intervention to increase survival and quality of life. Yet studies consistently show that elderly patients are less frequently referred to CR, show less uptake and more often drop out of CR programmes. DESIGN: The European study on effectiveness and sustainability of current cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the elderly (EU-CaRE) project consists of an observational study and an open prospective, investigator-initiated multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving mobile telemonitoring guided CR (mCR). OBJECTIVE: The aim of EU-CaRE is to map the efficiency of current CR of the elderly in Europe, and to investigate whether mCR is an effective alternative in terms of efficacy, adherence and sustainability. METHODS AND RESULTS: The EU-CaRE study includes patients aged 65 years or older with ischaemic heart disease or who have undergone heart valve surgery. A total of 1760 patients participating in existing CR programmes in eight regions of Europe will be included. Of patients declining regular CR, 238 will be included in the RCT and randomised in two study arms. The experimental group (mCR) will receive a personalised home-based programme while the control group will receive no advice or coaching throughout the study period. Outcomes will be assessed after the end of CR and at 12 months follow-up. The primary outcome is VO2peak and secondary outcomes include variables describing CR uptake, adherence, efficacy and sustainability. CONCLUSION: The study will provide important information to improve CR in the elderly. The EU-CaRE RCT is the first European multicentre study of mCR as an alternative for elderly patients not attending usual CR.