ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Frailty among cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants is associated with worse health outcomes. However, no literature synthesis has quantified the relationship between frailty and CR outcomes. PURPOSE: Examine frailty prevalence at CR admission, frailty changes during CR, and if frailty is associated with adverse outcomes following CR. METHODS: We searched CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE for studies published from 2000-2023. Eligible studies included a validated frailty measure, published in English. Two reviewers independently screened articles and abstracted data. Outcome measures included admission frailty prevalence, frailty and physical function changes, and post-CR hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS: Observational and randomized trials were meta-analyzed separately using inverse variance random-effects models. 34 peer reviewed articles (26 observational, 8 randomized trials; 19,360 participants) were included. Admission frailty prevalence was 46% [95% CI 29%, 62%] and 40% [95% CI 28%, 52%] as measured by Frailty Index and Kihon Checklist (14 studies) and Frailty Phenotype (11 studies), respectively. Frailty improved following CR participation (SMD; 0.68, 95% CI 0.37, 0.99; P<.0001; 6 studies). Observational studies meta-analysis revealed higher admission frailty increased participants' risk of all-cause mortality (Hazard ratio: 9.24, 95% CI 2.93, 29.16; P=.0001; 4 studies). Frailer participants at admission had worse physical health outcomes, but improved over the course of CR. CONCLUSIONS: High variability in frailty tools and CR designs was observed, and randomized controlled trials contributions were limited. The prevalence of frailty is high in CR and is associated with greater mortality risk; however, CR improves frailty and physical health outcomes.
Frailty levels are high in cardiac rehabilitation and elevate the risk of adverse health outcomes, however, participating in cardiac rehabilitation may improve prognosis. Key Findings: A large proportion of people in cardiac rehabilitation were frail. Frailty levels were improved by participating in cardiac rehabilitation, especially in those who were frailer at admission.Higher baseline frailty levels were associated with a greater risk of hospitalization and mortality and a reduced likelihood of completing the intervention.
ABSTRACT
Many patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are frail. Center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can improve frailty; however, whether virtual CR provides similar frailty improvements has not been examined. To answer this question, we (1) compared the effect of virtual and accelerated center-based CR on frailty and (2) determined if admission frailty affected frailty change and CVD biomarkers. The virtual and accelerated center-based CR programs provided exercise and education on nutrition, medication, exercise safety, and CVD. Frailty was measured with a 65-item frailty index. The primary outcome, frailty change, was analyzed with a two-way mixed ANOVA. Simple slopes analysis determined whether admission frailty affected frailty and CVD biomarker change by CR model type. Our results showed that admission frailty was higher in center-based versus virtual participants. However, we observed no main effect of CR model on frailty change. Results also revealed that participants who were frailer at CR admission observed greater frailty improvements and reductions in triglyceride and cholesterol levels when completing virtual versus accelerated center-based CR. Even though both program models did not change frailty, higher admission frailty was associated with greater frailty reductions and change to some CVD biomarkers in virtual CR.