Living Lab Data of Patient Needs and Expectations for eHealth-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Germany and Spain From the TIMELY Study: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of eHealth technology in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a promising approach to enhance patient outcomes since adherence to healthy lifestyles and risk factor management during phase III CR maintenance is often poorly supported. However, patients' needs and expectations have not been extensively analyzed to inform the design of such eHealth solutions. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to provide a detailed patient perspective on the most important functionalities to include in an eHealth solution to assist them in phase III CR maintenance. METHODS: A guided survey as part of a Living Lab approach was conducted in Germany (n=49) and Spain (n=30) involving women (16/79, 20%) and men (63/79, 80%) with coronary artery disease (mean age 57 years, SD 9 years) participating in a structured center-based CR program. The survey covered patients' perceived importance of different CR components in general, current usage of technology/technical devices, and helpfulness of the potential features of eHealth in CR. Questionnaires were used to identify personality traits (psychological flexibility, optimism/pessimism, positive/negative affect), potentially predisposing patients to acceptance of an app/monitoring devices. RESULTS: All the patients in this study owned a smartphone, while 30%-40% used smartwatches and fitness trackers. Patients expressed the need for an eHealth platform that is user-friendly, personalized, and easily accessible, and 71% (56/79) of the patients believed that technology could help them to maintain health goals after CR. Among the offered components, support for regular physical exercise, including updated schedules and progress documentation, was rated the highest. In addition, patients rated the availability of information on diagnosis, current medication, test results, and risk scores as (very) useful. Of note, for each item, except smoking cessation, 35%-50% of the patients indicated a high need for support to achieve their long-term health goals, suggesting the need for individualized care. No major differences were detected between Spanish and German patients (all P>.05) and only younger age (P=.03) but not sex, education level, or personality traits (all P>.05) were associated with the acceptance of eHealth components. CONCLUSIONS: The patient perspectives collected in this study indicate high acceptance of personalized user-friendly eHealth platforms with remote monitoring to improve adherence to healthy lifestyles among patients with coronary artery disease during phase III CR maintenance. The identified patient needs comprise support in physical exercise, including regular updates on personalized training recommendations. Availability of diagnoses, laboratory results, and medications, as part of a mobile electronic health record were also rated as very useful. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05461729; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05461729.

A framework for the automatic description of healthcare processes in natural language: Application in an aortic stenosis integrated care process.

In this paper, we propose a framework for the automatic generation of natural language descriptions of healthcare processes using quantitative and qualitative data and medical expert knowledge. Inspired by the demand of novel ways of conveying process mining analysis results of healthcare processes (Rojas et al., 2016), our framework is based on the most widely used Data-To-Text (D2T) pipeline (Reiter, 2007) and on the usage of process mining techniques. Backed by a general model that handles process data, this framework is able to quantify attributes in time during a process life-span, recall temporal relations and waiting times between events and its possible causes and compare case (patient) attributes between groups, among other features. Through integrating fuzzy quantification techniques, our framework is able to represent relevant quantitative process information with some degree of uncertainty present on it and describe it in natural language involving uncertain terms. A real application over the Aortic Stenosis Integrated Care Process of the University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela is presented, showcasing the potential of our framework for providing natural language descriptions of healthcare processes addressed to medical experts. Following the standards of D2T systems, manual human validation was conducted for the generated natural language descriptions by fifteen medical experts in Cardiology. Validation results are very positive, since a global average of 4.07/5.00 was achieved for questions related to understandability, usefulness and impact of the natural language descriptions on the medical experts work. More precisely, results indicate i) that the modality which conveyed the information most efficiently was natural language ii) a very clear preference of texts over the usual graphic representation of process information as the way for conveying information to experts (4.28/5.00), and iii) natural language descriptions provide relevant and useful information about the process, allowing for its improvement.

Thirty-second sit-to-stand test as an alternative for estimating peak oxygen uptake and 6-min walking distance in women with breast cancer: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the 30-s sit-to-stand (30STS) test can be a valid tool for estimating and stratifying peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and 6-min walking distance (6MWD) in women with breast cancer. METHODS: This cross-sectional study uses data from the ONCORE randomized controlled trial, including 120 women aged 18-70 years with early-stage breast cancer under treatment with anthracycline and/or anti-HER2 antibodies. Participant characteristics were collected at baseline and pooled data from functional assessment (30STS test, relative and absolute VO2peak, and 6MWD) were collected at baseline and post-intervention (comprehensive cardio-oncology rehabilitation program vs. usual care). Bivariate correlations and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between functional test variables. RESULTS: The number of repetitions in the 30STS test showed (i) a moderate correlation with relative VO2peak (ml/kg/min) (r = 0.419; p < 0.001; n = 126), (ii) a weak correlation with absolute VO2peak (ml/min) (r = 0.241; p = 0.008; n = 120), and (iii) a moderate correlation with the 6MWD (r = 0.440; p < 0.001; n = 85). The ONCORE equations obtained from the multivariate regression models allowed the estimation of VO2peak and 6MWD (r2 = 0.390; r2 = 0.261, respectively) based on the 30STS test, and its stratification into tertiles (low, moderate, and high). CONCLUSION: The 30STS test was found to be a useful tool to estimate VO2peak and/or 6MWD in women with early-stage breast cancer. Its use may facilitate the assessment and stratification of functional capacity in this population for the implementation of therapeutic exercise programs if cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or 6MWT are not available. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03964142. Registered on 28 May 2019. Retrospectively registered. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03964142.

A randomized trial to evaluate the impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer: ONCORE study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Anthracyclines and monoclonal antibodies against human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) are frequently used to treat breast cancer but they are associated with risk of developing cardiotoxicity. Implementation of cardioprotective strategies as part of breast cancer treatment are needed. To date, a limited number of studies have examined the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation programs or exercise programs in the prevention of cardiotoxicity through an integral assessment of cardiac function. The ONCORE study proposes an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program as a non-pharmacological tool for the management of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. METHODS: The study protocol describes a prospective, randomized controlled trial aimed to determine whether an intervention through an exercise-based CR program can effectively prevent cardiotoxicity induced by anthracyclines and/or anti-HER2 antibodies in women with breast cancer. Three hundred and forty women with breast cancer at early stages scheduled to receive cardiotoxic chemotherapy will be randomly assigned (1:1) to participation in an exercise-based CR program (intervention group) or to usual care and physical activity recommendation (control group). Primary outcomes include changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain as markers of cardiac dysfunction assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. Secondary outcomes comprise levels of cardiovascular biomarkers and cardiopulmonary function through peak oxygen uptake determination, physical performance and psychosocial status. Supervised exercise program-related outcomes including safety, adherence/compliance, expectations and physical exercise in- and out-of-hospital are studied as exploratory outcomes. Transthoracic echocardiography, clinical test and questionnaires will be performed at the beginning and two weeks after completion of chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: The growing incidence of breast cancer and the risk of cardiotoxicity derived from cancer treatments demand adjuvant cardioprotective strategies. The proposed study may determine if an exercise-based CR program is effective in minimizing chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in this population of women with early-stage breast cancer. The proposed research question is concrete, with relevant clinical implications, transferable to clinical practice and achievable with low risk. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03964142. Registered on 28 May 2019. Retrospectively registered. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03964142.

[Cardiac arrest under special circumstances]. / Kreislaufstillstand unter besonderen Umständen: Leitlinien des European Resuscitation Council 2021.

These guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Cardiac Arrest under Special Circumstances are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. This section provides guidelines on the modifications required for basic and advanced life support for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrest under special circumstances; in particular, specific causes (hypoxia, trauma, anaphylaxis, sepsis, hypo-/hyperkalaemia and other electrolyte disorders, hypothermia, avalanche, hyperthermia and malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary embolism, coronary thrombosis, cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, toxic agents), specific settings (operating room, cardiac surgery, cardiac catheterization laboratory, dialysis unit, dental clinics, transportation [in-flight, cruise ships], sport, drowning, mass casualty incidents), and specific patient groups (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, neurological disease, morbid obesity, pregnancy).

Statin Treatment and Prognosis of Elderly Patients Discharged after Non-ST Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Statins are recommended for secondary prevention. Our aims were to describe the proportion of very elderly patients receiving statins after non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NST-ACS) and to determine the prognostic implications of statins use. METHODS: This prospective registry was performed in 44 hospitals that included patients ≥80 years discharged after a NST-ACS from April 2016 to September 2016. RESULTS: We included 523 patients, the mean age was 84.2 ± 4.0 years and 200 patients (38.2%) were women. Previous statin treatment was recorded in 282 patients (53.4%), and 135 (32.5%) had LDL cholesterol levels >2.6 mmol/L. Mean LDL cholesterol levels during admission were 2.3 ± 0.9 mmol/L. Statins were prescribed at discharge to 474 patients (90.6%). Compared with patients discharged on statins, those that did not receive statins were more often frail (22 [47.8%] vs. 114 [24.4%], p < 0.01) and underwent an invasive approach less frequently (30 [61.2%] vs. 374 [78.9%], p = 0.01). During a 6-month follow-up, 50 patients died (9.5%). There was a nonsignificant trend to higher mortality in patients not treated with statins (6 [15%] vs. 44 [9.6%], p = 0.30), but statins were not independently associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-2.11, p = 0.65), nor with a reduction in the combined endpoint mortality/hospitalizations (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.52-1.55, p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Although most octogenarians presenting a NST-ACS are already on statins before the episode, their LDL cholesterol is frequently >2.6 mmol/L. Octogenarians who do not receive statins have a high-risk profile, with significant frailty and comorbidity.

Very brief training for laypeople in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Effect of real-time feedback.

BACKGROUND: Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but rates and performance quality remain low. Although training laypeople is a primary educational goal, the optimal strategy is not well defined. This study aimed to determine whether a short training with real-time feedback was able to improve hands-only CPR among untrained citizens. METHODS: On the occasion of the 2015 World Heart Day and the European Restart a Heart Day, a pilot study involving 155 participants (81 laypeople, 74 health care professionals) was conducted. Participants were invited to briefly practice hands-only CPR on a manikin and were after evaluated during a 2-minute chest compression (CC) test. During training brief instructions regarding hand position, compression rate and depth according to the current guidelines were given and real-time feedback was provided by a Laerdal SkillReporting System. RESULTS: Mean CC rate was significantly higher among health care professionals than among laypeople (119.07 ± 12.85 vs 113.02 ± 13.90 min(-1); P = .006), although both met the 100-120 CC min(-1) criterion. Laypeople achieved noninferior results regarding % of CC at adequate rate (51.46% ± 35.32% vs health care staff (55.97% ± 36.36%; P = .43) and depth (49.88% ± 38.58% vs 50.46% ± 37.17%; P = .92), % of CC with full-chest recoil (92.77% ± 17.17% vs 0.91% ± 18.84; P = .52), and adequate hand position (96.94% ± 14.78% vs 99.74 ± 1.98%; P = .11). The overall quality performance was greater than 70%, noninferior for citizens (81.23% ± 20.10%) vs health care staff (85.95% ± 14.78%; P = .10). CONCLUSION: With a very brief training supported by hands-on instructor-led advice and visual feedback, naïve laypeople are able to perform good-quality CC-CPR. Simple instructions, feedback, and motivation were the key elements of this strategy, which could make feasible to train big numbers of citizens.

Exercise-based cardio-oncology rehabilitation for cardiotoxicity prevention during breast cancer chemotherapy: The ONCORE randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) treatment with anthracyclines and/or anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) antibodies is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease complications, including cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). While Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation (CORe) programs including exercise have emerged to minimize these risks, its role in preventing CTRCD is unclear. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effectiveness of an exercise-based CORe program in preventing CTRCD [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) drop ≥10% to a value <53% or a decrease >15% in global longitudinal strain (GLS)]. Secondary outcomes examined changes in cardiac biomarkers, physical performance including peak oxygen consumption, psychometric and lifestyle outcomes. Safety, adherence, and patient satisfaction were also assessed. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial including 122 early-stage BC women receiving anthracyclines and/or anti-HER2 antibodies, randomized to CORe (n = 60) or usual care with exercise recommendation (n = 62). Comprehensive assessments were performed at baseline and after cardiotoxic treatment completion. The average duration of the intervention was 5.8 months. RESULTS: No cases of CTRCD were identified during the study. LVEF decreased in both groups, but was significantly attenuated in the CORe group [-1.5% (-2.9, -0.1); p = 0.006], with no changes detected in GLS or cardiac biomarkers. The CORe intervention led to significant body mass index (BMI) reduction (p = 0.037), especially in obese patients [3.1 kg/m2 (1.3, 4.8)]. Physical performance and quality-of-life remained stable, while physical activity level increased in both groups. No adverse events were detected. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that CORe programs are safe and may help attenuate LVEF decline in BC women receiving cardiotoxic therapy and reduce BMI in obese patients.

Videolaryngoscope versus conventional technique for insertion of a transesophageal echocardiography probe in intubated ICU patients (VIDLARECO trial): A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiogram probe insertion in intubated critically ill patients can be difficult, leading to complications, such as gastric bleeding or lesions in the oropharyngeal mucosa. We hypothesised that the use of a videolaryngoscope would facilitate the first attempt at insertion of the transesophageal echocardiogram probe and would decrease the incidence of complications compared to the conventional insertion technique. METHODS: In this clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned the insertion of a transesophageal echocardiogram probe using a videolaryngoscope or conventional technique. The primary outcome was the successful transesophageal echocardiogram probe insertion on the first attempt. The secondary outcomes included total success rate, number of insertion attempts, and incidence of pharyngeal complications. RESULTS: A total of 100 intubated critically ill patients were enrolled. The success rate of transesophageal echocardiogram probe insertion on the first attempt was higher in the videolaryngoscope group than in the conventional group (90% vs. 58%; absolute difference, 32%; 95% CI 16%-48%; p < 0.001). The overall success rate was higher in the videolaryngoscope group than in the conventional group (100% vs. 72%; absolute difference, 28%; 95% CI 16%-40%; p < 0.001). The incidence of pharyngeal mucosal injury was smaller in the videolaryngoscope group than in the conventional group (14% vs. 52%; absolute difference, 38%; 95% CI 21%-55%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that in intubated critically ill patients required transesophageal echocardiogram, the use of videolaryngoscope resulted in higher successful insertion on the first attempt with lower rate of complications when compared with the conventional insertion technique. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04980976.

Results of a focused cardiac ultrasound program conducted by neurologists within a stroke care network with cardiac imaging units.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, neurologists have begun to perform focused cardiac ultrasound for the detection of a cardiac source of embolism in stroke patients, requiring them to undergo a prior accredited training process. We designed a prospective study to analyze the incidence of heart disease detected by a focused cardiac ultrasound program within a stroke care network with cardiac imaging units and to identify the outcomes of detected structural heart disease at 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: We included patients admitted to a university hospital for ischemic stroke or a transient ischemic attack between 2017 and 2021 who were evaluated by focused cardiac ultrasound. We studied the presence of structural heart disease and cardioembolic sources. We analyzed cardiovascular events (CVE) during the first year of follow-up. RESULTS: Focused cardiac ultrasound was performed in 706 patients. Structural heart disease was detected in 52.1% and a cardioembolic source in 31.9%. Adverse CVE occurred in 5.49% of the patients in the first year of follow-up. The presence of de novo structural heart disease was independently associated with a higher probability of adverse CVE (HR, 1.72; 95%CI, 1.01- 2.91; P=.046). CONCLUSIONS: Focused cardiac ultrasound within a stroke care network with cardiac imaging units is an accessible technique with high diagnostic yield. Its use allows clinical and therapeutic actions in the prevention of stroke recurrences and other CVEs in this group of patients.

European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Cardiac arrest in special circumstances.

These European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Cardiac Arrest in Special Circumstances guidelines are based on the 2020 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations. This section provides guidelines on the modifications required to basic and advanced life support for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrest in special circumstances; specifically special causes (hypoxia, trauma, anaphylaxis, sepsis, hypo/hyperkalaemia and other electrolyte disorders, hypothermia, avalanche, hyperthermia and malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary embolism, coronary thrombosis, cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, toxic agents), special settings (operating room, cardiac surgery, catheter laboratory, dialysis unit, dental clinics, transportation (in-flight, cruise ships), sport, drowning, mass casualty incidents), and special patient groups (asthma and COPD, neurological disease, obesity, pregnancy).

New insights of tricuspid regurgitation: a large-scale prospective cohort study.

AIMS: To evaluate the burden of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in a large cohort, determine the right ventricle involvement of patients with TR and determine the characteristics of isolated TR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective study where consecutive patients undergoing an echocardiographic study in 10 centres were included. All studies with significant TR (at least moderate) were selected. We considered that patients with one of pulmonary systolic hypertension >50 mmHg, left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, New York Heart Association III-IV, or older than 85 years, had a high surgical risk. A total of 35 088 echocardiograms were performed. Significant TR was detected in 6% of studies. Moderate TR was found in 69.6%, severe in 25.5%, massive in 3.9%, and torrential in 1.0% of patients. Right ventricle was dilated in 81.7% of patients with massive/torrential TR, in 55.9% with severe TR, and in 29.3% with moderate TR (P < 0.001). Primary TR was present in 7.4% of patients whereas secondary TR was present in 92.6%. Mitral or aortic valve disease was the most common aetiology (54.6%), following by isolated TR (16%). Up to 51.9% of patients with severe, massive, or torrential primary TR and 57% of patients with severe, massive, or torrential secondary TR had a high surgical risk. CONCLUSION: Significant TR is a prevalent condition and a high proportion of these patients have an indication for valve intervention. More than a half of patients with severe, massive, or torrential TR had a high surgical risk. Massive/torrential TR may have implications regarding selection and monitoring patients for percutaneous treatment.

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.

Offering, participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the elderly: a European comparison based on the EU-CaRE multicentre observational study.

AIMS: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is strongly recommended but participation of elderly patients has not been well characterized. This study aims to analyse current rates and determinants of CR referral, participation, adherence, and compliance in a contemporary European cohort of elderly patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: The EU-CaRE observational study included data from consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 with acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, stable coronary artery disease, or heart valve replacement, recruited in eight European centres. Rates and factors determining offering, participation, and adherence to CR programmes and compliance with training sessions were studied across centres, under consideration of extensive-outpatient vs. intensive-inpatient programmes. Three thousand, four hundred, and seventy-one patients were included in the offering and participation analysis. Cardiac rehabilitation was offered to 80.8% of eligible patients, formal contraindications being the main reason for not offering CR. Mean participation was 68.0%, with perceived lack of usefulness and transport issues being principal barriers. Mean adherence to CR programmes of participants in the EU-CaRE study (n = 1663) was 90.3%, with hospitalization/physical impairment as principal causes of dropout. Mean compliance with training sessions was 86.1%. Older age was related to lower offering and participation, and comorbidity was associated with lower offering, participation, adherence, and compliance. Intensive-inpatient programmes displayed higher adherence (97.1% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.001) and compliance (full compliance: 66.0% vs. 38.8%, P < 0.001) than extensive-outpatient programmes. CONCLUSION: In this European cohort of elderly patients, older age and comorbidity tackled patients' referral and uptake of CR programmes. Intensive-inpatient CR programmes showed higher completion than extensive-outpatient CR programmes, suggesting this formula could suit some elderly patients.

Effectiveness of Home-Based Mobile Guided Cardiac Rehabilitation as Alternative Strategy for Nonparticipation in Clinic-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Elderly Patients in Europe: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Although nonparticipation in cardiac rehabilitation is known to increase cardiovascular mortality and hospital readmissions, more than half of patients with coronary artery disease in Europe are not participating in cardiac rehabilitation. Objective: To assess whether a 6-month guided mobile cardiac rehabilitation (MCR) program is an effective therapy for elderly patients who decline participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Design, Setting, and Participants: Patients were enrolled in this parallel multicenter randomized clinical trial from November 11, 2015, to January 3, 2018, and follow-up was completed on January 17, 2019, in a secondary care system with 6 cardiac institutions across 5 European countries. Researchers assessing primary outcome were masked for group assignment. A total of 4236 patients were identified with a recent diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, coronary revascularization, or surgical or percutaneous treatment for valvular disease, or documented coronary artery disease, of whom 996 declined to start cardiac rehabilitation. Subsequently, 179 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria consented to participate in the European Study on Effectiveness and Sustainability of Current Cardiac Rehabilitation Programmes in the Elderly trial. Data were analyzed from January 21 to October 11, 2019. Interventions: Six months of home-based cardiac rehabilitation with telemonitoring and coaching based on motivational interviewing was used to stimulate patients to reach exercise goals. Control patients did not receive any form of cardiac rehabilitation throughout the study period. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome parameter was peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak) after 6 months. Results: Among 179 patients randomized (145 male [81%]; median age, 72 [range, 65-87] years), 159 (89%) were eligible for primary end point analysis. Follow-up at 1 year was completed for 151 patients (84%). Peak oxygen uptake improved in the MCR group (n = 89) at 6 and 12 months (1.6 [95% CI, 0.9-2.4] mL/kg-1/min-1 and 1.2 [95% CI, 0.4-2.0] mL/kg-1/min-1, respectively), whereas there was no improvement in the control group (n = 90) (+0.2 [95% CI, -0.4 to 0.8] mL/kg-1/min-1 and +0.1 [95% CI, -0.5 to 0.7] mL/kg-1/min-1, respectively). Changes in Vo2peak were greater in the MCR vs control groups at 6 months (+1.2 [95% CI, 0.2 to 2.1] mL/kg-1/min-1) and 12 months (+0.9 [95% CI, 0.05 to 1.8] mL/kg-1/min-1). The incidence of adverse events was low and did not differ between the MCR and control groups. Conclusions and Relevance: These results suggest that a 6-month home-based MCR program for patients 65 years or older with coronary artery disease or a valvular intervention was safe and beneficial in improving Vo2peak when compared with no cardiac rehabilitation. Trial Registration: trialregister.nl Identifier: NL5168.

Training adult laypeople in basic life support. A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Bystander assistance is decisive to enhance the outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Despite an increasing number of basic life support (BLS) training methods, the most effective formula remains undefined. To identify a gold standard, we performed a systematic review describing reported BLS training methods for laypeople and analyzed their effectiveness. METHODS: We reviewed the MEDLINE database from January 2006 to July 2018 using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, considering all studies training adult laypeople in BLS and performing practical skill assessment. Two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated the quality of the studies using the MERSQI (Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument) scale. RESULTS: Of the 1263 studies identified, 27 were included. Most of them were nonrandomized controlled trials and the mean quality score was 13 out of 18, with substantial agreement between reviewers. The wide heterogeneity of contents, methods and assessment tools precluded pooling of data. Nevertheless, there was an apparent advantage of instructor-led methods, with feedback-supported hands-on practice, and retraining seemed to enhance retention. Training also improved attitudinal aspects. CONCLUSIONS: While there were insufficiently consistent data to establish a gold standard, instructor-led formulas, hands-on training with feedback devices and frequent retraining seemed to yield better results. Further research on adult BLS training may need to seek standardized quality criteria and validated evaluation instruments to ensure consistency.

Drowning: epidemiology, prevention, pathophysiology, resuscitation, and hospital treatment. / El ahogamiento: epidemiología, prevención, fisiopatología, reanimación de la víctima ahogada y tratamiento hospitalario.

This narrative review discusses the evidence relevant to key aspects of drowning, which is defined by the World Health Organization as the process of respiratory difficulty caused by submersion/immersion in liquid. The length of time the victim is submerged is a key factor in survival and neurologic damage. Although respiratory distress and hypoxia are the main events, other complications affecting various systems and organs may develop. Drowning is one of the main causes of accidental death worldwide, yet deaths from drowning are underestimated and morbidity is unknown. Prevention is essential for reducing both mortality and morbidity, but if prevention fails, the speed of access to and the quality of prehospital and hospital care will determine the prognosis. It is therefore essential to understand the factors and mechanisms involved in these emergencies.

El objetivo de esta revisión narrativa fue elaborar un documento que trate los aspectos clave del ahogamiento deacuerdo con la evidencia científica disponible. El ahogamiento se define como el proceso de sufrir dificultades respiratorias por sumersión/inmersión en un líquido. El tiempo de sumersión es un factor clave en la supervivencia y dañoneurológico. Aunque el distrés respiratorio e hipoxia es el cuadro predominante, pueden presentarse otras complicaciones que afecten a distintos sistemas y aparatos. El ahogamiento es una de las principales causas de muerte accidental en el mundo. Sin embargo, la mortalidad por ahogamiento está infraestimada y la morbilidad desconocida. Laprevención es el factor clave para la reducción de la mortalidad y morbilidad, pero si esta falla, la rapidez y calidaddel tratamiento tanto prehospitalario como hospitalario determinarán el pronóstico. Por tanto, resulta fundamentalconocer los factores y mecanismos particulares implicados en esta emergencia.

Octogenarian women with acute coronary syndrome present frailty and readmissions more frequently than men.

BACKGROUND: A worse prognosis has been reported among women with acute coronary syndrome compared to men. Our aim was to address the role of frailty and sex in the management and prognosis of elderly patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: A prospective registry in 44 Spanish hospitals including patients aged 80 years and older with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome. Frailty assessment was performed using the FRAIL scale. RESULTS: Of a total of 535 patients, 207 (38.7%) were women. Mean age was 84.8±4.0 years, similar in men and women. A prior history of coronary artery disease was more common in men (146, 44.9%) than in women (46, 22.2%), P<0.001. Frailty was less frequent in men (65, 20.2%) than in women (77, 37.8%), P<0.001. Female sex was an independent predictor of death/hospitalisation (hazard ratio (HR) 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.4) and of hospitalisation at 6 months (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.04-2.4). In men, compared to non-frail patients, both a prefrail status (HR 3.47, 95% CI 1.22-9.89) and frailty (HR 3.19, 95% CI 1.08-9.43) were independently associated with higher mortality. In women only frailty was independently associated with higher mortality (HR 5.68, 95% CI 1.91-16.18, compared to prefrailty or robustness). Frailty was associated with readmissions in men (HR 3.34, 95% CI 1.79-6.22) but not in women. CONCLUSIONS: In octogenarians with acute coronary syndrome female sex was independently associated with death/hospitalisation at 6 months. Frailty was more common in women and was a predictor of poor prognosis. In men prefrailty also predicted a poor prognosis.

Targeting relatives: Impact of a cardiac rehabilitation programme including basic life support training on their skills and attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Training families of patients at risk for sudden cardiac death in basic life support (BLS) has been recommended, but remains challenging. This research aimed to determine the impact of embedding resuscitation training for patients in a cardiac rehabilitation programme on relatives' BLS skill retention at six months. DESIGN: Intervention community study. METHODS: Relatives of patients suffering acute coronary syndrome or revascularization enrolled on an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programme were included. BLS skills of relatives linked to patients in a resuscitation-retraining programme (G-CPR) were compared with those of relatives of patients in a standard programme (G-Stan) at baseline, following brief instruction and six months after. Differences in skill performance and deterioration and self-perceived preparation between groups over time were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-nine relatives were included and complete data from 66 (G-Stan=33, G-CPR=33) was analysed. Baseline BLS skills were equally poor, improved irregularly following brief instruction and decayed afterwards. G-CPR displayed six-month better performance and lessened skill deterioration over time compared with G-Stan, including enhanced compliance with the BLS sequence ( p = 0.006 for group*time interaction) and global resuscitation quality ( p = 0.007 for group*time interaction). Self-perceived preparation was higher in G-CPR ( p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Relatives of patients suffering acute coronary syndrome or revascularization enrolled on a cardiac rehabilitation programme showed poor BLS skills. A resuscitation-retraining cardiac rehabilitation programme resulted in relatives' higher BLS awareness, skill retention and confidence at six months compared with the standard programme. This may suggest a significant impact of this formula on the family setting and support the active role of patients to enhance health education in their environment.