The prevalence and impact of sarcopenia in older cardiac patients undergoing inpatient cardiac rehabilitation - results from a prospective, observational cohort pre-study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of sarcopenia and its impact in older patients undergoing inpatient cardiac rehabilitation (iCR) after cardiac procedure has been insufficiently studied. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and quantify the functional capacity of older sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients participating in iCR. METHODS: Prospective, observational cohort study within the framework of the ongoing multicenter prehabilitation study "PRECOVERY". A sample of 122 patients ≥75 years undergoing iCR after cardiac procedure were recruited in four German iCR facilities and followed up 3 months later by telephone. At iCR (baseline), the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire was used to identify sarcopenic patients. In addition, Katz-Index, Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), handgrip strength (HGS), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) measured functional capacity and frailty at baseline. Outcomes were prevalence of sarcopenia and the correlation of sarcopenia to functional capacity and frailty at baseline as well as the SARC-F score at follow-up. The Wilcoxon test was applied for pre-post-test analysis. Correlation between sarcopenia and 6MWD, SPPB score and HGS was tested with the eta coefficient with one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Complete assessments were collected from 101 patients (79.9 ± 4.0 years; 63% male). At baseline, the mean SARC-F score was 2.7 ± 2.1; 35% with sarcopenia. Other baseline results were Katz-Index 5.7 ± 0.9, CFS 3.2 ± 1.4, HGS 24.9 ± 9.9 kg, SPPB score 7.5 ± 3.3 and 6MWD 288.8 ± 136.5 m. Compared to baseline, fewer patients were sarcopenic (23% versus 35%) at follow-up. In the subgroup of sarcopenic patients at baseline (n = 35), pre-post comparison resulted in a significant SARC-F improvement (p = 0.017). There was a significant correlation between sarcopenia measured by SARC-F and poor results in the assessments of functional capacity (p < 0.001; r > 0.546). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sarcopenia in older patients at iCR after cardiac procedure is high (35%) and remains high at follow-up (23%). Sarcopenia screening is important since the diagnosis of sarcopenia in these patients correlates significantly with poor functional capacity. The results indicate that these patients may benefit from prehabilitation aimed at improving perioperative outcomes, increasing functional capacity and mitigating adverse effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS; http://www.drks.de ; DRKS00032256). Retrospectively registered on 13 July 2023.

Standardised Exercise Prescription for Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome and/or Heart Failure: A Consensus Statement from the EXPERT Working Group.

Whereas exercise training, as part of multidisciplinary rehabilitation, is a key component in the management of patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and/or congestive heart failure (CHF), physicians and exercise professionals disagree among themselves on the type and characteristics of the exercise to be prescribed to these patients, and the exercise prescriptions are not consistent with the international guidelines. This impacts the efficacy and quality of the intervention of rehabilitation. To overcome these barriers, a digital training and decision support system [i.e. EXercise Prescription in Everyday practice & Rehabilitative Training (EXPERT) tool], i.e. a stepwise aid to exercise prescription in patients with CCS and/or CHF, affected by concomitant risk factors and comorbidities, in the setting of multidisciplinary rehabilitation, was developed. The EXPERT working group members reviewed the literature and formulated exercise recommendations (exercise training intensity, frequency, volume, type, session and programme duration) and safety precautions for CCS and/or CHF (including heart transplantation). Also, highly prevalent comorbidities (e.g. peripheral arterial disease) or cardiac devices (e.g. pacemaker, implanted cardioverter defibrillator, left-ventricular assist device) were considered, as well as indications for the in-hospital phase (e.g. after coronary revascularisation or hospitalisation for CHF). The contributions of physical fitness, medications and adverse events during exercise testing were also considered. The EXPERT tool was developed on the basis of this evidence. In this paper, the exercise prescriptions for patients with CCS and/or CHF formulated for the EXPERT tool are presented. Finally, to demonstrate how the EXPERT tool proposes exercise prescriptions in patients with CCS and/or CHF with different combinations of CVD risk factors, three patient cases with solutions are presented.

Lifestyle intervention reduces risk score for cardiovascular mortality in company employees with pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus - A secondary analysis of the PreFord randomized controlled trial with 3 years of follow-up.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of a multimodal intervention (including exercise training, psychosocial interventions, nutrition coaching, smoking cessation program, medical care) on the health and long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk of company employees with pre-diabetes or diabetes mellitus (DM) at high CVD risk. Methods: In the PreFord study, German company employees (n=4196) participated in a free-of-charge CVD mortality risk screening at their workplace. Based on their European Society of Cardiology - Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation score (ESC-SCORE), they were subdivided into three risk groups. High-risk patients (ESC-SCORE≥5%) were randomly assigned to a 15-week lifestyle intervention or usual care control group. Data from patients with pre-DM/DM were analyzed intention-to-treat (ITT: n=110 versus n=96) and per protocol (PP: n=60 versus n=52). Results: Body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, triglyceride levels as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved through the intervention (ITT, PP: p<0.001). The ESC-SCORE markedly decreased from pre- to post-intervention (ITT, PP: p<0.001). ESC-SCORE changes from baseline differed significantly between the groups, with the intervention group achieving more favorable results in all follow-up visits 6, 12, 24 and 36 months later (at each time point: ITT: p<0.001; PP: p ≤ 0.010). Conclusion: The study demonstrates the feasibility of attracting employees with pre-DM/DM at high CVD mortality risk to participate in a multimodal lifestyle program following a free CVD mortality risk screening at their workplace. The lifestyle intervention used in the PreFord study shows high potential for improving health of company employees with pre-DM/DM in the long term. ISRCTN23536103.

[Cardiopulmonary exercise testing for exercise prescription in cardiac rehabilitation]. / Spiroergometrie zur Trainingssteuerung in der kardiologischen Rehabilitation.

Aerobic endurance training is a core component of exercise training (ET) during cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Improvements of cardiopulmonary performance and symptom-free exercise capacity that can be achieved by ET during CR are essential for patient's prognosis and quality of life. Before initiating exercise training in CR, a detailed risk stratification including incremental exercise testing is required in order to ensure safe and effective exercise training conditions. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) with measurement of respiratory gases is considered the gold standard of cardiopulmonary performance diagnostics. The oxygen uptake measured at the highest exercise intensity achieved (peakVO2) has strong prognostic implications in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, respectively. The use of CPX with measurement of peakVO2 and determination of ventilatory thresholds (VT) enables a reliable determination of the individual cardiopulmonary performance (peakVO2) and also the aerobic exercise capacity. In addition, CPX is a valuable tool to detect increments in exercise capacity that were achieved by ET during CR. The measurement of peakVO2 and the determination of ventilatory thresholds are basic parameters for an individually tailored exercise prescription. In addition, the targeted control of aerobic endurance training on the basis of CPX parameters increases the effectiveness and safety of the exercise program during CR. In this article, recommendations for an individual exercise prescription, based on the results of CPX, are given for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, as well as for patients with CHD and concomitant type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Efficacy of Prehabilitation Before Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Patients awaiting cardiac surgery seem to benefit from exercise-based prehabilitation, but the impact on different perioperative outcomes compared with standard care is still unclear. DESIGN: Eligible nonrandomized/randomized controlled studies investigating the impact of exercise-based prehabilitation in adults scheduled for elective cardiac surgery were searched on December 16, 2020, from electronic databases, including MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and CINAHL. The data were pooled and a meta-analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Of 1490 abstracts, six studies ( n = 665) were included into the review and meta-analysis. At postintervention interval and at postsurgery interval, 6-min-walking distance improved significantly in exercise-based prehabilitation group compared with controls (mean difference, 75.4 m; 95% confidence interval, 13.7 to 137.1 m, P = 0.02, and 30.5 m, 95% confidence interval, 8.5 to 52.6 m, P = 0.007, respectively). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in exercise-based prehabilitation group (mean difference, -1.00 day; 95% confidence interval, -1.78 to -0.23 day, P = 0.01). Participation in exercise-based prehabilitation revealed a significant decrease in the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients 65 yrs or younger (risk ratio, 0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.14 to 0.83, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The participation in exercise-based prehabilitation significantly improves postintervention and postsurgery 6-min walking distance, length of hospital stay, and decreases the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients 65 yrs or younger compared with controls.

Resistance Training in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease, Heart Failure, and Valvular Heart Disease: A REVIEW WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON OLD AGE, FRAILTY, AND PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS.

PURPOSE: Current guidelines recommend individually adapted resistance training (RT) as a part of the exercise regime in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review was to provide insights into current knowledge and understanding of how useful, feasible, safe, and effective RT is in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), and valvular heart disease (VHD), with particular emphasis on the role of RT in elderly and/or frail patients. REVIEW METHODS: A review based on an intensive literature search: systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in 2010 or later; recent studies not integrated into meta-analyses or systematic reviews; additional manual searches. SUMMARY: The results highlight the evaluation of effects and safety of RT in patients with CAD and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in numerous meta-analyses. In contrast, few studies have focused on RT in patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or VHD. Furthermore, few studies have addressed the feasibility and impact of RT in elderly cardiac patients, and data on the efficacy and safety of RT in frail elderly patients are limited. The review results underscore the high prevalence of age-related sarcopenia, disease-related skeletal muscle deconditioning, physical limitations, and frailty in older patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). They underline the need for individually tailored exercise concepts, including RT, aimed at improving functional status, mobility, physical performance and muscle strength in older patients. Furthermore, the importance of the use of assessment tools to diagnose frailty, mobility/functional capacity, and physical performance in the elderly admitted to cardiac rehabilitation is emphasized.

Feasibility of inpatient cardiac rehabilitation after percutaneous mitral valve reconstruction using clipping procedures: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date, no studies on the feasibility or outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) after percutaneous mitral valve reconstruction using clipping procedures have been published. The aim of this study was to report on our first experiences with this special target group. METHODS: Monocentric retrospective analysis of 27 patients (72 ± 12 years old, 52% female) who underwent multimodal inpatient CR in the first 2 month after MitraClip™ implantation. A six-minute-walking-test, a handgrip-strength-test and the Berg-Balance-Scale was conducted at the beginning and end of CR. Echocardiography was performed to rule out device-related complications. RESULTS: Adapted inpatient CR started 16 ± 13 days after clipping intervention and lasted 22 ± 4 days. In 4 patients (15%) CR had to be interrupted or aborted prematurely due to cardiac decompensations. All other patients (85%) completed CR period without complications. Six-minute-walking-distance improved from 272 ± 97 to 304 ± 111 m (p < .05) and dependence on rollator walker or walking aids was significantly reduced (p < .05). Results of handgrip-strength-test and Berg-Balance-Scale increased (p < .05). Overall, social-medical and psychological consultations were well received by the patients and no device-related complications occurred during rehabilitation treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that an adapted inpatient CR in selected patients after MitraClip™ implantation is feasible. Patients benefited from treatments both at functional and social-medical level and no device-related complications occurred. Larger controlled studies are needed.

Sports, Myocarditis and COVID-19: Diagnostics, Prevention and Return-to-play Strategies.

Myocarditis is an umbrella term for non-ischemic myocardial inflammation and remains a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in active individuals and athletes. Accurate diagnosing is challenging and diseases could often remain undetected. In the majority of cases, acute myocarditis resolves favourably. However, a relevant proportion of patients may have an increased risk of prognostically relevant cardiac arrhythmias and/or the development and progression of maladaptive myocardial remodelling (dilated cardiomyopathy). This review provides current knowledge on myocarditis and sports with special regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. Possible causes, common symptoms and proposed diagnostics are summarized. The relevance of temporary avoidance of intensive sports activities for both the prevention and therapy of acute myocarditis is discussed. Risk stratification, specific return-to-play recommendations and proposed follow-up diagnostics (also after COVID-19 infection) are presented.

Effectiveness of additional resistance and balance training and telephone support program in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life and physical activity: Randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate 20 days and 3 months follow-up effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) enhanced by resistance/balance training and telephone-support program compared to usual CR care in improving quality of life, clinical course and physical activity behavior. DESIGN: Single-centre randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Inpatient CR clinic. SUBJECTS: 116 (76.1 ± 6.7 years, 50% male) patients 14.5 ± 5.9 days after valve surgery/intervention were randomized to intervention group (IG, n = 60) or control group (CG, n = 56). INTERVENTION: Additional resistance/balance training (3 days/week) during phase-II CR and telephone-support program during 3-month follow-up. CG patients were provided with usual CR care. MAIN MEASURES: Short Form 36 Health Survey scales, European Quality of Life 5 Dimensions 3 Level Version QoL index, visual analog scale, clinical course, and physical activity behavior assessed with standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: IG reported statistically significant higher mental component score (48.5 ± 6.91 vs. 40.3 ± 11.21 at the baseline, 50.8 ± 9.76 vs. 42.6 ± 9.82 after 20 days, 49.4 ± 8.45 vs. 40.5 ± 8.9 after 12 weeks follow up), general health (48.6 ± 3.17 vs. 45.0 ± 2.95 at the baseline, 53.6 ± 3.02 vs. 43.8 ± 2.55 after 20 days, 53.2 ± 3.11 vs. 44.2 ± 3.07 after 12 weeks) and role limitations due to emotional problems (48.5 ± 15.2 vs. 27.7 ± 11.5 at the baseline, 72.7 ± 12.6 vs. 30.5 ± 11.2 after 20 days, 66.6 ± 14.2 vs. 36.1 ± 11.2 after 12 weeks) in all three assessments (p < 0.05). CG patients had more documented hospital admissions (4 (8%) vs 10 (25%), p = 0.027), atrial fibrillation paroxysms (3 (6.0%) vs. 10 (35.0%), p = 0.011) and blood pressure swings (13 (26%) vs. 20 (50%), p = 0.019). IG patients chose more different physical activities (1.7 ± 0.7 vs. 1.25 ± 0.63, p = 0.002), spent more time being physical active every day (195.6 ± 78.6 vs. 157.29 ± 78.8, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of resistance/balance exercises and telephone-support program 12 weeks after to the CR could linked to higher physical activity levels and fewer clinical complications but did not lead to a significant improvement in quality of life.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in German Speaking Countries of Europe-Evidence-Based Guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH-Part 2.

BACKGROUND: Scientific guidelines have been developed to update and harmonize exercise based cardiac rehabilitation (ebCR) in German speaking countries. Key recommendations for ebCR indications have recently been published in part 1 of this journal. The present part 2 updates the evidence with respect to contents and delivery of ebCR in clinical practice, focusing on exercise training (ET), psychological interventions (PI), patient education (PE). In addition, special patients' groups and new developments, such as telemedical (Tele) or home-based ebCR, are discussed as well. METHODS: Generation of evidence and search of literature have been described in part 1. RESULTS: Well documented evidence confirms the prognostic significance of ET in patients with coronary artery disease. Positive clinical effects of ET are described in patients with congestive heart failure, heart valve surgery or intervention, adults with congenital heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Specific recommendations for risk stratification and adequate exercise prescription for continuous-, interval-, and strength training are given in detail. PI when added to ebCR did not show significant positive effects in general. There was a positive trend towards reduction in depressive symptoms for "distress management" and "lifestyle changes". PE is able to increase patients' knowledge and motivation, as well as behavior changes, regarding physical activity, dietary habits, and smoking cessation. The evidence for distinct ebCR programs in special patients' groups is less clear. Studies on Tele-CR predominantly included low-risk patients. Hence, it is questionable, whether clinical results derived from studies in conventional ebCR may be transferred to Tele-CR. CONCLUSIONS: ET is the cornerstone of ebCR. Additional PI should be included, adjusted to the needs of the individual patient. PE is able to promote patients self-management, empowerment, and motivation. Diversity-sensitive structures should be established to interact with the needs of special patient groups and gender issues. Tele-CR should be further investigated as a valuable tool to implement ebCR more widely and effectively.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in German Speaking Countries of Europe-Evidence-Based Guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH-Part 1.

BACKGROUND: Although cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) is well accepted in general, CR-attendance and delivery still considerably vary between the European countries. Moreover, clinical and prognostic effects of CR are not well established for a variety of cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: The guidelines address all aspects of CR including indications, contents and delivery. By processing the guidelines, every step was externally supervised and moderated by independent members of the "Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany" (AWMF). Four meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the prognostic effect of CR after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), after coronary bypass grafting (CABG), in patients with severe chronic systolic heart failure (HFrEF), and to define the effect of psychological interventions during CR. All other indications for CR-delivery were based on a predefined semi-structured literature search and recommendations were established by a formal consenting process including all medical societies involved in guideline generation. RESULTS: Multidisciplinary CR is associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality in patients after ACS and after CABG, whereas HFrEF-patients (left ventricular ejection fraction <40%) especially benefit in terms of exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. Patients with other cardiovascular diseases also benefit from CR-participation, but the scientific evidence is less clear. There is increasing evidence that the beneficial effect of CR strongly depends on "treatment intensity" including medical supervision, treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, information and education, and a minimum of individually adapted exercise volume. Additional psychologic interventions should be performed on the basis of individual needs. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines reinforce the substantial benefit of CR in specific clinical indications, but also describe remaining deficits in CR-delivery in clinical practice as well as in CR-science with respect to methodology and presentation.

Secondary prevention through comprehensive cardiovascular rehabilitation: From knowledge to implementation. 2020 update. A position paper from the Secondary Prevention and Rehabilitation Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology.

Secondary prevention through comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation has been recognized as the most cost-effective intervention to ensure favourable outcomes across a wide spectrum of cardiovascular disease, reducing cardiovascular mortality, morbidity and disability, and to increase quality of life. The delivery of a comprehensive and 'modern' cardiac rehabilitation programme is mandatory both in the residential and the out-patient setting to ensure expected outcomes. The present position paper aims to update the practical recommendations on the core components and goals of cardiac rehabilitation intervention in different cardiovascular conditions, in order to assist the whole cardiac rehabilitation staff in the design and development of the programmes, and to support healthcare providers, insurers, policy makers and patients in the recognition of the positive nature of cardiac rehabilitation. Starting from the previous position paper published in 2010, this updated document maintains a disease-oriented approach, presenting both well-established and more controversial aspects. Particularly for implementation of the exercise programme, advances in different training modalities were added and new challenging populations were considered. A general table applicable to all cardiovascular conditions and specific tables for each clinical condition have been created for routine practice.

The impact of additional resistance and balance training in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in older patients after valve surgery or intervention: randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the short- and mid-term effect of a specially tailored resistance and balance training provided in addition to usual cardiac rehabilitation (CR) care program in older patients after valve surgery/intervention. METHODS: Single-center (inpatient CR clinic in Lithuania) randomized controlled trial. Two hundred fifty-two patients were assessed for eligibility on the first day of admittance to CR early after (14.5 ± 5.9 days) valve surgery/intervention between January 2018 and November 2019. Participants were coded centrally in accordance with randomization 1:1 using a computerized list. Control group (CG) patients were provided with usual care phase-II-CR inpatient multidisciplinary CR program, while intervention group (IG) patients received additional resistance and balance training (3 d/wk). Patients participated in a 3-month follow-up. Main outcome measures were functional capacity (6 min walk test (6MWT, meters), cardiopulmonary exercise testing), physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, score) and 5-m walk test (5MWT, meters/second)), strength (one repetition maximum test for leg press), physical frailty (SPPB, 5MWT). RESULTS: One hundred sixteen patients (76.1 ± 6.7 years, 50% male) who fulfilled the study inclusion criteria were randomized to IG (n = 60) or CG (n = 56) and participated in CR (18.6 ± 2.7 days). As a result, 6MWT (IG 247 ± 94.1 vs. 348 ± 100.1, CG 232 ± 102.8 vs. 333 ± 120.7), SPPB (IG 8.31 ± 2.21 vs. 9.51 ± 2.24, CG 7.95 ± 2.01 vs. 9.08 ± 2.35), 5MWT (IG 0.847 ± 0.31 vs. 0.965 ± 0.3, CG 0.765 ± 0.24 vs 0.879 ± 0.29) all other outcome variables and physical frailty level improved significantly (p < 0.05) in both groups with no significant difference between groups. Improvements were sustained over the 3-month follow-up for 6MWT (IG 348 ± 113 vs. CG 332 ± 147.4), SPPB (IG 10.37 ± 1.59 vs CG 9.44 ± 2.34), 5MWT (IG 1.086 ± 0. 307 vs CG 1.123 ± 0.539) and other variables. Improvement in physical frailty level was significantly more pronounced in IG (p < 0.05) after the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Exercise-based CR improves functional and exercise capacity, physical performance, and muscular strength, and reduces physical frailty levels in patients after valve surgery/intervention in the short and medium terms. SPPB score and 5MWT were useful for physical frailty assessment, screening and evaluation of outcomes in a CR setting. Additional benefit from the resistance and balance training could not be confirmed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04234087 , retrospectively registered 21 January 2020.