Association of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation With Lower Mortality in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease: Results From the Veterans Health Administration Healthy Heart Program.

Background Home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) and traditional facility-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs have similar effects on mortality in clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, the effect of HBCR on mortality in clinical practice settings is less clear. Therefore, we sought to compare mortality rates in HBCR participants versus nonparticipants. Methods and Results We evaluated all patients who were referred to and eligible for outpatient CR between 2013 and 2018 at the San Francisco Veterans Health Administration. Patients who chose to attend facility-based CR and those who died within 30 days of hospitalization were excluded. Patients who chose to participate in HBCR received up to 9 telephonic coaching and motivational interviewing sessions over 12 weeks. All patients were followed through June 30, 2021. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models with inverse probability treatment weighting to compare mortality in HBCR participants versus nonparticipants. Of the 1120 patients (mean age 68, 98% male, 76% White) who were referred and eligible, 490 (44%) participated in HBCR. During a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 185 patients (17%) died. Mortality was lower among the 490 HBCR participants versus the 630 nonparticipants (12% versus 20%; P<0.01). In an inverse probability weighted Cox regression analysis adjusted for patient demographics and comorbid conditions, the hazard of mortality remained 36% lower among HBCR participants versus nonparticipants (hazard ratio, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.45-0.90], P=0.01). Conclusions Among patients eligible for CR, participation in HBCR was associated with 36% lower hazard of mortality. Although unmeasured confounding can never be eliminated in an observational study, our findings suggest that HBCR may benefit patients who cannot attend traditional CR programs.

Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation With Survival Among US Veterans.

Importance: Participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs at Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities is low. Most veterans receive CR through purchased care at non-VA programs. However, limited literature exists on the comparison of outcomes between VA and non-VA CR programs. Objective: To compare 1-year mortality and 1-year readmission rates for myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization between VA vs non-VA CR participants. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included 7320 patients hospitalized for myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization at the VA between 2010 and 2014 who did not die within 30 days of discharge and who participated in 2 or more CR sessions after discharge. The study excluded individuals hospitalized for ischemic heart disease after December 2014 when the VA Choice Act changed referral criteria for non-VA care. Data analysis was performed from November 2019 to January 2020. Exposures: Participation in 2 or more CR sessions within 12 months of discharge at a VA or non-VA facility. Main Outcomes and Measures: The 1-year all-cause mortality and 1-year readmission rates for myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization from date of discharge were compared between VA vs non-VA CR participants using Cox proportional hazards models with inverse probability treatment weighting. Results: The 7320 veterans with ischemic heart disease who participated in CR programs had a mean (SD) age of 65.13 (8.17) years and were predominantly white (6005 patients [82.0%]), non-Hispanic (6642 patients [91.0%]), and male (7191 patients [98.2%]). Among these 7320 veterans, 2921 (39.9%) attended a VA facility, and 4399 (60.1%) attended a non-VA CR facility. Black and Hispanic veterans were more likely to attend CR programs at VA facilities (509 patients [17.4%] and 378 patients [12.9%], respectively), whereas white veterans were more likely to attend CR programs at non-VA facilities (3759 patients [85.5%]). After inverse probability treatment weighting, rates of 1-year mortality were 1.7% among VA CR participants vs 1.3% among non-VA CR participants (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.90-1.94; P = .15). Rates of readmission for myocardial infarction or revascularization during the 12 months after discharge were 4.9% among VA CR participants vs 4.4% among non-VA CR participants (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.83-1.35; P = .62). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that rates of 1-year mortality and 1-year readmission for myocardial infarction or revascularization did not differ for participants in VA vs non-VA cardiac rehabilitation programs. Eligible patients with ischemic heart disease should participate in CR programs regardless of where they are provided.

Association of Mental Health Conditions With Participation in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Background Mental health conditions are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ischemic heart disease, and much of this risk can be attributed to poor health behaviors. Although all patients with ischemic heart disease should be referred for cardiac rehabilitation (CR), whether patients with mental health conditions are willing to participate in CR programs is unknown. We sought to compare CR participation rates among patients with ischemic heart disease with versus without comorbid depression and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods and Results We used national electronic health records to identify all patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization at Veterans Health Administration hospitals between 2010 and 2014. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine whether comorbid depression/PTSD was associated with CR participation during the 12 months after hospital discharge. Of the 86 537 patients hospitalized for ischemic heart disease between 2010 and 2014, 24% experienced PTSD and/or depression. Patients with PTSD and/or depression had higher CR participation rates than those without PTSD or depression (11% versus 8%; P<0.001). In comparison to patients without PTSD or depression, the odds of participation was 24% greater in patients with depression alone (odds ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.15-1.34), 38% greater in patients with PTSD alone (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.24-1.54), and 57% greater in patients with both PTSD and depression (odds ratio, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.43-1.74). Conclusions Among patients with ischemic heart disease, the presence of comorbid depression and/or PTSD is associated with greater participation in CR, providing an important opportunity to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes among these patients.

Predictors of Patient Participation and Completion of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Veterans Health Administration for Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.

Traditional, facility-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is vastly underutilized in the United States. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) has developed new home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) programs to address this issue. However, the characteristics of patients who choose HBCR are unknown. We sought to determine predictors of participation and completion of HBCR at the San Francisco VA (SFVA). We evaluated patients hospitalized for ischemic heart disease between 2013 and 2016 at SFVA. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of participation and completion of HBCR. In 724 patients with ischemic heart disease who were eligible for CR between 2013 and 2016, 314 (43%) enrolled in HBCR. Older age was associated with lower odds of participation in HBCR (odds ratio [OR] 0.84; p <0.01). Additionally, patients with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were twice as likely as those with percutaneous coronary intervention to participate in HBCR (OR 2.03; 95% confidence interval 1.40, 2.97). In HBCR participants, 48% (150/314) completed ≥9 sessions. Patients with CABG were twice as likely as those with percutaneous coronary intervention to complete the HBCR program (OR 2.02; 95% confidence interval 1.18, 3.44). There were no differences in participation or completion rates by gender, race, ethnicity, or rurality. Our study showed that the SFVAMC HCBR program achieved a 43% participation rate, well above the VA average of 13%. There were no disparities by gender, race, or rurality in terms of participation and adherence. CABG as the indication for CR was the most significant predictor of participation and completion of HBCR.

Correction: Leading causes of cardiovascular hospitalization in 8.45 million US veterans.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193996.].

Leading causes of cardiovascular hospitalization in 8.45 million US veterans.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine the leading causes of cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization, and to describe and compare national rates of CV hospitalization by age, gender, race, ethnicity, region, and year, among U.S. veterans. METHODS: We evaluated the electronic health records of all veterans aged ≥18 years who had accessed any healthcare services at either a VA healthcare facility or a non-VA healthcare facility that was reimbursed by the VA, between January 1 2010 and December 31 2014. Among these 8,452,912 patients, we identified the 5 leading causes of CV hospitalization and compared rates of hospitalization by age, gender, race, ethnicity, region, year and type of VA healthcare user. RESULTS: The top 5 causes of CV hospitalization were: coronary atherosclerosis, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and atrial fibrillation. Overall, 297,373 (3.5%) veterans were hospitalized for one or more of these cardiovascular conditions. The percentage of veterans hospitalized for one or more of these CV conditions decreased over time, from 1.23% in 2010 to 1.18% in 2013, followed by a slight increase to 1.20% in 2014. There was significant variation in rates of CV hospitalization by gender, race, ethnicity, geographic region, and urban vs. rural zip code. In particular, older, male, Black, non-Hispanic, urban and Continental region veterans experienced the highest rates of CV hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: Among 8.5 million patients enrolled in the VA healthcare system from 2010 to 2014, there was substantial variation in rates of CV hospitalization by age, gender, race, geographical distribution, year, and use of non-VA (vs. VA only) healthcare care facilities.

The Design and Implementation of a Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

A home-based cardiac rehabilitation program improves access and enrollment by using an evidence-based alternative model of care.