Optimizing Training Response for Women in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Despite lower baseline fitness levels, women in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) do not typically improve peak aerobic exercise capacity (defined as peak oxygen uptake [peak Vo2]) compared with men in CR. Objective: To evaluate the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and intensive lower extremity resistance training (RT) compared with standard moderate intensity continuous training (MCT) on peak Vo2 among women in CR. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial conducted from July 2017 to February 2020 included women from a community-based cardiac rehabilitation program affiliated with a university hospital in Vermont. A total of 56 women (mean [SD] age, 65 [11] years; range 43-98 years) participating in CR enrolled in the study. Interventions: MCT (70% to 85% of peak heart rate [HR]) with moderate intensive RT or HIIT (90% to 95% of peak HR) along with higher-intensity lower extremity RT 3 times per week over 12 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in peak Vo2 (L/min) from baseline to 12 weeks. Results: Peak Vo2 increased to a greater degree in the HIIT group (+23%) than in the control group (+7%) (mean [SD] increase, 0.3 [0.2] L/min vs 0.1 [0.2] L/min; P = .03). Similarly, the change in leg strength was greater in the HIIT-RT group compared with the control group (mean [SD] increase, 15.3 [0.3] kg vs 6.4 [1.1] kg; P = .004). Conclusions and Relevance: An exercise protocol combining HIIT and intensive lower extremity RT enhanced exercise training response for women in CR compared with standard CR exercise training. Women randomized to HIIT experienced significantly greater improvements in both peak Vo2 and leg strength during CR. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03438968.

The effect of phased written health education combined with healthy diet on the quality of life of patients after heart valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: To observe the effect of phased written health education combined with healthy diet on the quality of life of patients after heart valve replacement. METHODS: One hundred-thirty patients who underwent heart valve replacement surgery in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020 were enrolled as the research subjects. They were randomly divided into study group (65 patients, phased written health education combined with health Diet) and control group (65 cases, routine health education). The drug compliance and the degree of anticoagulant drugs knowledge were compared between the two groups in the first and second stage rehabilitation and the recovery stage. The health behavior ability and quality of life at different phases were also observed. RESULTS: During the first and the second stage rehabilitation, and the recovery stage, the drug compliance of the study group was superior to that of the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the knowledge of anticoagulant drugs in the study group was better than that in the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Before intervention, there was no significant difference in health behavior ability and quality of life between the two groups (P > 0.05). The healthy behavior ability of study group for each stage was superior to the control group, the difference was significant (P < 0.05). The healthy behavior ability and quality of life showed the same results with statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of phased written health education combined with healthy diet in patients after heart valve replacement can effectively improve patients' medication compliance, anticoagulant drugs knowledge, healthy behavior ability and quality of life at different stages, and is worthy of clinical application.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults after heart valve surgery.

BACKGROUND: The impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following heart valve surgery is uncertain. We conducted an update of this systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess randomised controlled trial evidence for the use of exercise-based CR following heart valve surgery. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of exercise-based CR compared with no exercise training in adults following heart valve surgery or repair, including both percutaneous and surgical procedures. We considered CR programmes consisting of exercise training with or without another intervention (such as an intervention with a psycho-educational component). SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials (CENTRAL), in the Cochrane Library; MEDLINE (Ovid); Embase (Ovid); the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; EBSCO); PsycINFO (Ovid); Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS; Bireme); and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S) on the Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics) on 10 January 2020. We searched for ongoing trials from ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical-trials.com, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform on 15 May 2020. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials that compared exercise-based CR interventions with no exercise training. Trial participants comprised adults aged 18 years or older who had undergone heart valve surgery for heart valve disease (from any cause) and had received heart valve replacement or heart valve repair. Both percutaneous and surgical procedures were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently extracted data. We assessed the risk of systematic errors ('bias') by evaluating risk domains using the 'Risk of bias' (RoB2) tool. We assessed clinical and statistical heterogeneity. We performed meta-analyses using both fixed-effect and random-effects models. We used the GRADE approach to assess the quality of evidence for primary outcomes (all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalisation, and health-related quality of life). MAIN RESULTS: We included six trials with a total of 364 participants who have had open or percutaneous heart valve surgery. For this updated review, we identified four additional trials (216 participants). One trial had an overall low risk of bias, and we classified the remaining five trials as having some concerns. Follow-up ranged across included trials from 3 to 24 months. Based on data at longest follow-up, a total of nine participants died: 4 CR versus 5 control (relative risk (RR) 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 to 2.68; 2 trials, 131 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low). No trials reported on cardiovascular mortality. One trial reported one cardiac-related hospitalisation in the CR group and none in the control group (RR 2.72, 95% CI 0.11 to 65.56; 1 trial, 122 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low). We are uncertain about health-related quality of life at completion of the intervention in CR compared to control (Short Form (SF)-12/36 mental component: mean difference (MD) 1.28, 95% CI -1.60 to 4.16; 2 trials, 150 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low; and SF-12/36 physical component: MD 2.99, 95% CI -5.24 to 11.21; 2 trials, 150 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low), or at longest follow-up (SF-12/36 mental component: MD -1.45, 95% CI -4.70 to 1.80; 2 trials, 139 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low; and SF-12/36 physical component: MD -0.87, 95% CI -3.57 to 1.83; 2 trials, 139 participants; GRADE quality of evidence very low).  AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Due to lack of evidence and the very low quality of available evidence, this updated review is uncertain about the impact of exercise-CR in this population in terms of mortality, hospitalisation, and health-related quality of life. High-quality (low risk of bias) evidence on the impact of CR is needed to inform clinical guidelines and routine practice.

In-hospital day-by-day systolic blood pressure variability during rehabilitation: a marker of adverse outcome in secondary prevention after myocardial revascularization.

OBJECTIVE: Although it is known that increased visit-to-visit or home day-by-day variability of blood pressure (BP), independently of its average value, results in an increased risk of cardiovascular events, the prognostic value of in-hospital day-by-day BP variability in secondary cardiovascular prevention has not yet been established. METHODS: We studied 1440 consecutive cardiac patients during a cardiovascular rehabilitation program of about 12 days after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) and/or valve surgery. We measured auscultatory BP at the patient bed in each rehabilitation day twice, in the morning and the afternoon. We correlated SBP variability assessed as standard deviation (SBP-SD) and coefficient of variation (SBP-CoV) of the daily measures with overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality and major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after a mean follow-up of 49 months by Cox hazard analysis. RESULTS: In our patients (age 68 ±â€Š11years, 61% hypertensive patients) the ranges of SBP-SD tertiles were: 4.1-9.1, 9.2-11.5 and 11.6-24.5 mmHg. Fifty-five percent of the patients underwent CABG, 33% underwent valve surgery, 12% both CABG and valve surgery. In CABG patients, the highest SBP-SD tertile showed the highest overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality and MACCEs (P < 0.01). Results remained significant after multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, mean SBP, BMI, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and diabetes. No association between SBP-SD and mortality or MACCEs was found in valve surgery patients. CONCLUSION: In-hospital day-by-day SBP variability predicts mortality and MACCEs in CABG patients, possibly representing a target during rehabilitation and treatment in secondary cardiovascular prevention.

[Rehabilitation of valvular patient]. / La réadaptation du patient valvulaire.

Valvular disease is the second indication of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after coronary artery disease. Patients suffering valvular disease are addressed to CR after valvular repair, and are usually old. Valvular replacement are the most frequent, and more and more patients being treated by TAVI are addressed to CR. CR takes place on two phases: From the seventh (day 7) to the fifteenth (day 15) day: management of complications, respiratory physio, and help to autonomy if necessary. From the fifteenth day (day 15): rehabilitation to exercise after an exercise stress test with or without MVO2 measurement. Because the patients are taking anticoagulants and are at risk of endocarditis, therapeutic education takes an important place during the stage. CR of patients suffering valvular disease has demonstrated its usefulness with: An increase of exercise capacity in all kind of valvular disease; A reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with aortic valve stenosis. No serious complication was observed in all studies regarding CR in patients with valvular disease.

Comparison of phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation outcomes between patients after transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement.

Background Referral rates and outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation have not been evaluated in patients with transcatheter aortic valve replacement or compared with surgical aortic valve replacement. Method A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 488 patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement ( n = 199) and surgical aortic valve replacement ( n = 289) from a university-based statewide transcatheter aortic valve replacement/surgical aortic valve replacement program during 2015-2017. Cardiac rehabilitation consisted of supervised exercise, diet education, and stress and depression management. We compared changes from baseline in exercise duration and intensity during cardiac rehabilitation sessions, quality-of-life (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey), and psychosocial measures (anxiety, depression, mood, social support, and diet) between transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement patients using t-test and chi-square analyses. Results Of 488 patients, cardiac rehabilitation referral rates were similar at 41% (transcatheter aortic valve replacement 81/199 versus surgical aortic valve replacement 117/289), but enrollment rates were lower in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (27/199, 14%) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (102/289, 35%, p < 0.01). Among eligible patients, cardiac rehabilitation completion rates were lower in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (12%) than surgical aortic valve replacement (32%). Exercise intensity during cardiac rehabilitation improved in both groups in a similar fashion (transcatheter aortic valve replacement 1.03 ± 1.09 versus surgical aortic valve replacement 1.34 ± 1.15 metabolic equivalents), but increase in exercise duration was higher in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients versus surgical aortic valve replacement patients (14.52 ± 6.42 versus 10.67 ± 8.38 min, p = 0.02). Improvement in physical composite score was higher in surgical aortic valve replacement versus transcatheter aortic valve replacement (8.72 ± 7.87 versus 2.36 ± 7.6, p = 0.02) while improvement in mental composite score was higher in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (8.19 ± 8.50) versus surgical aortic valve replacement (1.18 ± 7.23, p = 0.02). There was no significant difference between the two groups in improvement in psychosocial measures. Conclusion Cardiac rehabilitation enrollment was low in transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients versus surgical aortic valve replacement patients despite similar referral rates. Improvement in functional and quality-of-life performance was achieved in both transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement. Future studies should address obstacles for enrollment of transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients.

Cardiac rehabilitation for patients having cardiac surgery: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended for all cardiac patients including patients after cardiac surgery. Since the effect of CR after cardiac surgery has not been well established yet, we conducted a systematic review on the effects of CR for patients after cardiac surgery compared to treatment as usual. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), quasi-randomized and prospective observational studies in The Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE was undertaken until October 18th, 2017. Adults after any kind of cardiac surgery were included. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality, other outcomes were serious adverse events, health-related quality of life, work participation, functioning and costs/cost-effectiveness. Risk of bias was evaluated, and the quality of evidence was assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Eighteen RCTs and 15 observational studies were included. Low risk of bias was only observed in one observational study. Meta-analysis of RCTs suggested no significant difference of CR compared to control on mortality (random-effects relative risk (RR) 0.93 (95% CI: 0.40-1.81), while observational studies suggested statistically significant beneficial effect associated with CR (random-effects RR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.35 - 0.68). CR did not significantly affect any of the other outcomes. Due to the limited data TSA could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: The body of evidence does not allow us to reach any reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of CR following cardiac surgery. Future trials need to be conducted with low risks of bias and clearly defined outcomes.

Serum uric acid level predicts adverse outcomes after myocardial revascularization or cardiac valve surgery.

Background High levels of serum uric acid have been associated with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and heart failure. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the prognostic role of serum uric acid levels in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial revascularization and/or cardiac valve surgery. Design We performed an observational prospective cohort study. Methods The study included 1440 patients with available serum uric acid levels, prospectively followed for 50 ± 17 months. Mean age was 67 ± 11 years; 781 patients (54%) underwent myocardial revascularization, 474 (33%) cardiac valve surgery and 185 (13%) valve-plus-coronary artery by-pass graft surgery. The primary endpoints were overall and cardiovascular mortality while secondary end-points were combined major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Results Serum uric acid level mean values were 286 ± 95 µmol/l and elevated serum uric acid levels (≥360 µmol/l or 6 mg/dl) were found in 275 patients (19%). Overall mortality (hazard ratio = 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.5-3.0; p < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-3.2; p = 0.004) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events rate (hazard ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.0-2.0; p = 0.019) were significantly higher in patients with elevated serum uric acid levels, even after adjustment for age, gender, arterial hypertension, diabetes, glomerular filtration rate, atrial fibrillation and medical therapy. Moreover, strong positive correlations between serum uric acid level and probability of overall mortality ( p < 0.001), cardiovascular mortality ( p < 0.001) and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events ( p = 0.003) were found. Conclusions Serum uric acid levels predict mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcome in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization and/or cardiac valve surgery even after the adjustment for age, gender, arterial hypertension, diabetes, glomerular filtration rate and medical therapy.

Effect of prophylactic non-invasive mechanical ventilation on functional capacity after heart valve replacement: a clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: During cardiac surgery, several factors contribute to the development of postoperative pulmonary complications. Non-invasive ventilation is a promising therapeutic tool for improving the functionality of this type of patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional capacity and length of stay of patients in a nosocomial intensive care unit who underwent prophylactic non-invasive ventilation after heart valve replacement. METHOD: The study was a controlled clinical trial, comprising 50 individuals of both sexes who were allocated by randomization into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the control group and experimental group. After surgery, the patients were transferred to the intensive care unit and then participated in standard physical therapy, which was provided to the experimental group after 3 applications of non-invasive ventilation within the first 26 hours after extubation. For non-invasive ventilation, the positive pressure was 10 cm H2O, with a duration of 1 hour. The evaluation was performed on the 7th postoperative day/discharge and included a 6-minute walk test. The intensive care unit and hospitalization times were monitored in both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBeC): RBR number 8bxdd3. RESULTS: Analysis of the 6-minute walk test showed that the control group walked an average distance of 264.34±76 meters and the experimental group walked an average distance of 334.07±71 meters (p=0.002). The intensive care unit and hospitalization times did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive ventilation as a therapeutic resource was effective toward improving functionality; however, non-invasive ventilation did not influence the intensive care unit or hospitalization times of the studied cardiac patients.

Effect of prophylactic non-invasive mechanical ventilation on functional capacity after heart valve replacement: a clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: During cardiac surgery, several factors contribute to the development of postoperative pulmonary complications. Non-invasive ventilation is a promising therapeutic tool for improving the functionality of this type of patient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional capacity and length of stay of patients in a nosocomial intensive care unit who underwent prophylactic non-invasive ventilation after heart valve replacement. METHOD: The study was a controlled clinical trial, comprising 50 individuals of both sexes who were allocated by randomization into two groups with 25 patients in each group: the control group and experimental group. After surgery, the patients were transferred to the intensive care unit and then participated in standard physical therapy, which was provided to the experimental group after 3 applications of non-invasive ventilation within the first 26 hours after extubation. For non-invasive ventilation, the positive pressure was 10 cm H2O, with a duration of 1 hour. The evaluation was performed on the 7th postoperative day/discharge and included a 6-minute walk test. The intensive care unit and hospitalization times were monitored in both groups. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (REBeC): RBR number 8bxdd3. RESULTS: Analysis of the 6-minute walk test showed that the control group walked an average distance of 264.34±76 meters and the experimental group walked an average distance of 334.07±71 meters (p=0.002). The intensive care unit and hospitalization times did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive ventilation as a therapeutic resource was effective toward improving functionality; however, non-invasive ventilation did not influence the intensive care unit or hospitalization times of the studied cardiac patients.

Predictors of survival, functional survival, and hospital readmission in octogenarians after surgical aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze outcomes and predictors of functional survival (personal care home admission and mortality) and hospital readmission in patients aged ≥80 years who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in a Manitoba hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥80 years who underwent SAVR with or without coronary artery bypass grafting in Manitoba between 1995 and 2014. Data from the Manitoba Adult Cardiac Surgery database and the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy were used. Kaplan-Meier estimates of outcomes and Cox multivariate regression analysis of risk factors were performed. Survival was compared with that of age- and sex-matched life expectancy. RESULTS: A total of 1872 patients were aged ≥50 years and 378 were aged ≥80 years, 55% of whom (n = 208) underwent concurrent coronary artery bypass grafting. Compared with younger patients, octogenarians had higher in-hospital mortality (8.5%; P <.001), longer median intensive care unit stay (47.2 hours; P <.001), and longer median in-hospital stay (13 days; P <.001). The median follow-up was 5.2 years. Functional survival was 82.4% at 1 year and 56.5% at 5 years, and freedom from hospital readmission was 61.5% at 1 year and 28.4% at 5 years. Survival approximated the age- and sex-matched life expectancy at 1 year (83.8%) and 5 years (60.8%). Preoperative atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease, female sex, postoperative acute kidney injury, and blood transfusion were associated with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In eligible octogenarians, SAVR has acceptable 1- and 5-year functional survival and hospital readmission rates, but significant perioperative mortality and morbidity.

Referral to Cardiac Rehabilitation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, and Valve Surgery: Data From the Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program.

BACKGROUND: Despite guideline recommendations that patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass surgery, or valve surgery be referred to cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation is underused. The objective of this study was to examine hospital-level variation in cardiac rehabilitation referral after PCI, coronary artery bypass surgery, and valve surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from the Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program, a registry of all nonfederal hospitals performing PCI and cardiac surgery in Washington State. We included eligible PCI, coronary artery bypass surgery, and valve surgery patients from 2010 to 2015. We analyzed PCI and cardiac surgery separately by performing multivariable hierarchical logistic regression for the outcome of cardiac rehabilitation referral at discharge, clustered by hospital. Patient-level covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidities, and procedure indication/status. Cardiac rehabilitation referral was reported in 48% (34 047/71 556) of PCI patients and 91% (21 831/23 972) of cardiac surgery patients. The hospital performing the procedure was a stronger predictor of referral than any individual patient characteristic for PCI (hospital referral range 3%-97%; median odds ratio, 5.94; 95% confidence interval, 4.10-9.49) and cardiac surgery (range 54%-100%; median odds ratio, 7.09; 95% confidence interval, 3.79-17.80). Hospitals having an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program explained only 10% of PCI variation and 0% of cardiac surgery variation. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac rehabilitation referral at discharge was less prevalent after PCI than cardiac surgery. The strongest predictor of cardiac rehabilitation referral was the hospital performing the procedure. Efforts to improve cardiac rehabilitation referral should focus on increasing referral after PCI, especially in low referral hospitals.

Effects of an Ambulation Orderly Program Among Cardiac Surgery Patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite the known benefits of ambulation, most hospitalized patients remain physically inactive. One possible approach to this problem is to employ "ambulation orderlies" (AOs) - employees whose main responsibility is to ambulate patients throughout the day. For this study, we examined an AO program implemented among postcardiac surgery patients and its effect on patient outcomes. METHODS: We evaluated postoperative length of stay, hospital complications, discharge disposition, and 30-day readmission for all patients who underwent coronary artery bypass or cardiac valve surgery in the 9 months prior to and after the introduction of the AO program. In addition to pre-post comparisons, we performed an interrupted time series analysis to adjust for temporal trends and differences in baseline characteristics. RESULTS: We included 447 and 478 patients in the pre- and post-AO intervention groups, respectively. Postoperative length of stay was lower in the post-AO group, with median (interquartile range) of 10 (7, 14) days vs 9 (7, 13) days (P <.001), and also had significantly less variability in mean monthly length of stay (Levene's test P = .03). Using adjusted interrupted time series analysis, the program was associated with a decreased mean monthly postoperative length of stay (-1.57 days, P = .04), as well as a significant decrease in the trend of mean monthly postoperative length of stay (P = .01). Other outcomes were unaffected. CONCLUSION: The implementation of an AO program was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative length and variability of hospital stay. These results suggest that an AO program is a reasonable and practical approach towards improving hospital outcomes.

Patients' preference for exercise setting and its influence on the health benefits gained from exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient preference for exercise setting and examine if choice of setting influences the long-term health benefit of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: Patients participating in a randomised controlled trial following either heart valve surgery, or radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation were given the choice to perform a 12-week exercise programme in either a supervised centre-based, or a self-management home-based setting. Exercise capacity and physical and mental health outcomes were assessed for up to 24months after hospital discharge. Outcomes between settings were compared using a time×setting interaction using a mixed effects regression model. RESULTS: Across the 158 included patients, an equivalent proportion preferred to undertake exercise rehabilitation in a centre-based setting (55%, 95% CI: 45% to 63%) compared to a home-based setting (45%, 95% CI: 37% to 53%, p=0.233). At baseline, those who preferred a home-based setting reported better physical health (mean difference in physical component score: 5.0, 95% CI 2.3 to 7.4; p=0.001) and higher exercise capacity (mean between group difference 15.9watts, 95% CI 3.7 to 28.1; p=0.011). With the exception of the depression score in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score (F(3.65), p=0.004), there was no evidence of a significant difference in outcomes between settings. CONCLUSION: The preference of patients to participate in home-based and centre-based exercise programmes appears to be equivalent and provides similar health benefits. Whilst these findings support that patients should be given the choice between exercise-settings when initiating cardiac rehabilitation, further confirmatory evidence is needed.

Patterns and determinants of functional and absolute iron deficiency in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation following heart surgery.

Background Anaemia and iron deficiency are frequent following major surgery. The present study aims to identify the iron deficiency patterns in cardiac surgery patients at their admission to a cardiac rehabilitation programme, and to determine which perioperative risk factor(s) may be associated with functional and absolute iron deficiency. Design This was a retrospective study on prospectively collected data. Methods The patient population included 339 patients. Functional iron deficiency was defined in the presence of transferrin saturation <20% and serum ferritin ≥100 µg/l. Absolute iron deficiency was defined in the presence of serum ferritin values <100 µg/l. Results Functional iron deficiency was found in 62.9% of patients and absolute iron deficiency in 10% of the patients. At a multivariable analysis, absolute iron deficiency was significantly ( p = 0.001) associated with mechanical prosthesis mitral valve replacement (odds ratio 5.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-15) and tissue valve aortic valve replacement (odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.9-11). In mitral valve surgery, mitral repair carried a significant ( p = 0.013) lower risk of absolute iron deficiency (4.4%) than mitral valve replacement with tissue valves (8.3%) or mechanical prostheses (22.5%). Postoperative outcome did not differ between patients with functional iron deficiency and patients without iron deficiency; patients with absolute iron deficiency had a significantly ( p = 0.017) longer postoperative hospital stay (median 11 days) than patients without iron deficiency (median nine days) or with functional iron deficiency (median eight days). Conclusions Absolute iron deficiency following cardiac surgery is more frequent in heart valve surgery and is associated with a prolonged hospital stay. Routine screening for iron deficiency at admission in the cardiac rehabilitation unit is suggested.

Cardiac rehabilitation programme after transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background Aortic stenosis is a valvular heart disease characterised by fixed obstruction of the left ventricular outflow. It can be managed by surgical aortic valve replacement (sAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This review aimed to describe the evidence supporting a cardiac rehabilitation programme on functional capacity and quality of life in aortic stenosis patients after sAVR or TAVI. Methods The search was conducted on multiple databases from January to March 2016. All studies were eligible that evaluated the effects of a post-interventional cardiac rehabilitation programme in aortic stenosis patients. The methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was performed separately by procedure and between procedures. The walked distance during the six-minute walk test (6MWD) and Barthel index were evaluated. The analysis was conducted in Review Manager. Results Five studies were included (292 TAVI and 570 sAVR patients). The meta-analysis showed that a cardiac rehabilitation programme was associated with a significant improvement in 6MWD (0.69 (0.47, 0.91); P < 0.001) and Barthel index (0.80 (0.29, 1.30); P = 0.002) after TAVI and 6MWD (0.79 (0.43, 1.15); P < 0.001) and Barthel index (0.93 (0.67, 1.18); P < 0.001) after sAVR. In addition, the meta-analysis showed that the cardiac rehabilitation programme promoted a similar gain in 6MWD (4.28% (-12.73, 21.29); P = 0.62) and Barthel index (-1.52 points (-4.81, 1.76); P = 0.36) after sAVR or TAVI. Conclusions The cardiac rehabilitation programme improved the functional capacity and quality of life in aortic stenosis patients. Patients who underwent TAVI benefitted with a cardiac rehabilitation programme similar to sAVR patients.

[Aftercare of patients after MitraClip® implantation]. / Die Nachsorge von Patienten nach MitraClip®-Implantation.

Many patients with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation cannot be subjected to surgical therapy due to their multimorbidity. For these patients, MitraClip® implantation is a therapeutic alternative.The aim of this article is to present recommendations for treatment after a MitraClip® procedure. For this purpose, a selective literature review has been carried out based on the current literature, notably on national and international guidelines.After a MitraClip® procedure, rehabilitation is indicated because of the underlying heart failure as well as the treatment of a heart valve. Here, optimization of drug therapy, implementation of standardized heart failure training, the initiation of strength and endurance training and psychosocial support are initiated. Patients will be briefed on endocarditis prophylaxis lasting for at least six months. Furthermore, according to current guidelines, treatment with ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and aldosterone antagonists are optimized. A special feature is anticoagulation, which is currently empirically accounted for and performed in sinus rhythm typically for four weeks of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) followed by a monotherapy with aspirin. In atrial fibrillation, lifelong oral anticoagulation is indicated combined with a platelet aggregation inhibitor for four weeks.In particular, echocardiographic control in the rehabilitation clinic and by cardiologists has to be focused on a residual atrial septal defect, the transmitral gradient and a residual mitral regurgitation.

The use of the Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool in surgical patients in a bundled payment program.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the Risk Assessment and Predictor Tool (RAPT) and patient discharge disposition in an institution participating in bundled payment program for total joint replacement, spine fusion and cardiac valve surgery patients. METHOD: Between April 2014 and April 2015, RAPT scores of 767 patients (535 primary unilateral total joint arthroplasty; 150 cardiac valve replacement; 82 spinal fusions) were prospectively captured. Total RAPT scores were grouped into three levels for risk of complications: <6 = 'high risk', between 6 and 9 = 'medium risk', and >9 = 'low risk' for discharge to a post-acute facility. Associations between RAPT categories and patient discharge to home versus any facility were conducted. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine if there was any correlation between RAPT score and discharge to any facility. RESULTS: 70.5% of total joint patients, 80.7% of cardiac valve surgery patients and 70.7% of spine surgery patients were discharged home rather than to a post-acute facility. RAPT risk categories were related to discharge disposition as 72% of those in the high risk group were discharged to a facility and 91% in the low risk group were discharged to home in the total joint replacement cohort. In the cardiac cohort, only 33% of the high risk group was discharged to a facility, and 94% of the low risk group was discharged to home. In the spinal fusion cohort, 60% of those in the high risk group were discharged to a facility and 86% in the low risk group were discharged to home. Multivariate analysis showed that being in the high risk category versus low risk category was significantly associated with substantially increased odds of discharge to a facility. CONCLUSION: The RAPT tool has shown the ability to predict discharge disposition for total joint and spine surgery patients, but not cardiac valve surgery patients, where the majority of patients in all categories were discharged home, at an institution participating in a bundled payment program. The ability to identify discharge disposition pre-operatively is valuable for improving care coordination, directing care resources and establishing and maintaining patient and family expectations.