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1.
Interventions for Frailty Among Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.
Ijaz, N, Buta, B, Xue, QL, Mohess, DT, Bushan, A, Tran, H, Batchelor, W, deFilippi, CR, Walston, JD, Bandeen-Roche, K, et al
Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2022;(5):482-503
Abstract
With the aging of the world's population, a large proportion of patients seen in cardiovascular practice are older adults, but many patients also exhibit signs of physical frailty. Cardiovascular disease and frailty are interdependent and have the same physiological underpinning that predisposes to the progression of both disease processes. Frailty can be defined as a phenomenon of increased vulnerability to stressors due to decreased physiological reserves in older patients and thus leads to poor clinical outcomes after cardiovascular insults. There are various pathophysiologic mechanisms for the development of frailty: cognitive decline, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and lack of social supports; these risk factors provide opportunity for various types of interventions that aim to prevent, improve, or reverse the development of frailty syndrome in the context of cardiovascular disease. There is no compelling study demonstrating a successful intervention to improve a global measure of frailty. Emerging data from patients admitted with heart failure indicate that interventions associated with positive outcomes on frailty and physical function are multidimensional and include tailored cardiac rehabilitation. Contemporary cardiovascular practice should actively identify patients with physical frailty who could benefit from frailty interventions and aim to deliver these therapies in a patient-centered model to optimize quality of life, particularly after cardiovascular interventions.
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Traditional vs Extended Hybrid Cardiac Rehabilitation Based on the Continuous Care Model for Patients Who Have Undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in a Middle-Income Country: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Pakrad, F, Ahmadi, F, Grace, SL, Oshvandi, K, Kazemnejad, A
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2021;(11):2091-2101.e3
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare traditional (1-month supervised) vs hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (CR; usual care) with an additional 3 months offered remotely based on the continuous care model (intervention) in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). DESIGN Randomized controlled trial, with blinded outcome assessment. SETTING A major heart center in a middle-income country. PARTICIPANTS Of 107 eligible patients who were referred to CR during the period of study, 82.2% (N=88) were enrolled (target sample size). Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 (concealed; 44 per parallel arm). There was 92.0% retention. INTERVENTIONS After CR, participants were given a mobile application and communicated biweekly with the nurse from months 1-4 to control risk factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Quality of life (QOL, Short Form-36, primary outcome); functional capacity (treadmill test); and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale were evaluated pre-CR, after 1 month, and 3 months after CR (end of intervention), as well as rehospitalization. RESULTS The analysis of variance interaction effects for the physical and mental component summary scores of QOL were <.001, favoring intervention (per protocol); there were also significant increases from pre-CR to 1 month, and from 1 month to the final assessment in the intervention arm (P<.001), with change in the control arm only to 1 month. The effect sizes were 0.115 and 0.248, respectively. Similarly, the interaction effect for functional capacity was significant (P<.001), with a clinically significant 1.5 metabolic equivalent of task increase in the intervention arm. There were trends for group effects for the psychosocial indicators, with paired t tests revealing significant increases in each at both assessment points in the intervention arm. At 4 months, there were 4 (10.3%) rehospitalizations in the control arm and none in intervention (P=.049). Intended theoretical mechanisms were also affected by the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Extending CR in this accessible manner, rendering it more comprehensive, was effective in improving outcomes.
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Current Insights into Exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Chronic Heart Failure.
Nichols, S, McGregor, G, Breckon, J, Ingle, L
International journal of sports medicine. 2021;(1):19-26
Abstract
Cardiac rehabilitation is a package of lifestyle secondary prevention strategies designed for patients with coronary heart disease and chronic heart failure. A community-based cardiac rehabilitation programme provides patients with a structured exercise training intervention alongside educational support and psychological counselling. This review provides an update regarding the clinical benefits of community-based cardiac rehabilitation from a psycho-physiological perspective, and also focuses on the latest epidemiological evidence regarding potential survival benefits. Behaviour change is key to long-term adoption of a healthy and active lifestyle following a cardiac event. In order for lifestyle interventions such as structured exercise interventions to be adopted by patients, practitioners need to ensure that behaviour change programmes are mapped against patient's priorities and values, and adapted to their level of readiness and intention to engage with the target behaviour. We review the evidence regarding behaviour change strategies for cardiac patients and provide practitioners with the latest guidance. The 'dose' of exercise training delivered to patients attending exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is an important consideration because an improvement in peak oxygen uptake requires an adequate physiological stimulus to invoke positive physiological adaptation. We conclude by critically reviewing the latest evidence regarding exercise dose for cardiac patients including the role of traditional and more contemporary training interventions including high intensity interval training.
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Endocrine Challenges in Patients with Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices.
Martucci, G, Pappalardo, F, Subramanian, H, Ingoglia, G, Conoscenti, E, Arcadipane, A
Nutrients. 2021;(3)
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality worldwide. Advancement of mechanical circulatory support technology has led to the use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), reducing hospitalizations, and improving quality of life and outcomes in advanced HF. Recent studies have highlighted how metabolic and endocrine dysfunction may be a consequence of, or associated with, HF, and may represent a novel (still neglected) therapeutic target in the treatment of HF. On the other hand, it is not clear whether LVAD support, may impact the outcome by also improving organ perfusion as well as improving the neuro-hormonal state of the patients, reducing the endocrine dysfunction. Moreover, endocrine function is likely a major determinant of human homeostasis, and is a key issue in the recovery from critical illness. Care of the endocrine function may contribute to improving cardiac contractility, immune function, as well as infection control, and rehabilitation during and after a LVAD placement. In this review, data on endocrine challenges in patients carrying an LVAD are gathered to highlight pathophysiological states relevant to this setting of patients, and to summarize the current therapeutic suggestions in the treatment of thyroid dysfunction, and vitamin D, erythropoietin and testosterone administration.
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Digital Health Interventions for Cardiac Rehabilitation: Systematic Literature Review.
Wongvibulsin, S, Habeos, EE, Huynh, PP, Xun, H, Shan, R, Porosnicu Rodriguez, KA, Wang, J, Gandapur, YK, Osuji, N, Shah, LM, et al
Journal of medical Internet research. 2021;(2):e18773
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite strong evidence supporting the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), over 80% of eligible patients do not participate in CR. Digital health technologies (ie, the delivery of care using the internet, wearable devices, and mobile apps) have the potential to address the challenges associated with traditional facility-based CR programs, but little is known about the comprehensiveness of these interventions to serve as digital approaches to CR. Overall, there is a lack of a systematic evaluation of the current literature on digital interventions for CR. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review is to provide an in-depth analysis of the potential of digital health technologies to address the challenges associated with traditional CR. Through this review, we aim to summarize the current literature on digital interventions for CR, identify the key components of CR that have been successfully addressed through digital interventions, and describe the gaps in research that need to be addressed for sustainable and scalable digital CR interventions. METHODS Our strategy for identifying the primary literature pertaining to CR with digital solutions (defined as technology employed to deliver remote care beyond the use of the telephone) included a consultation with an expert in the field of digital CR and searches of the PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases for original studies published from January 1990 to October 2018. RESULTS Our search returned 31 eligible studies, of which 22 were randomized controlled trials. The reviewed CR interventions primarily targeted physical activity counseling (31/31, 100%), baseline assessment (30/31, 97%), and exercise training (27/31, 87%). The most commonly used modalities were smartphones or mobile devices (20/31, 65%), web-based portals (18/31, 58%), and email-SMS (11/31, 35%). Approximately one-third of the studies addressed the CR core components of nutrition counseling, psychological management, and weight management. In contrast, less than a third of the studies addressed other CR core components, including the management of lipids, diabetes, smoking cessation, and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Digital technologies have the potential to increase access and participation in CR by mitigating the challenges associated with traditional, facility-based CR. However, previously evaluated interventions primarily focused on physical activity counseling and exercise training. Thus, further research is required with more comprehensive CR interventions and long-term follow-up to understand the clinical impact of digital interventions.
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Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults after heart valve surgery.
Abraham, LN, Sibilitz, KL, Berg, SK, Tang, LH, Risom, SS, Lindschou, J, Taylor, RS, Borregaard, B, Zwisler, AD
The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2021;(5):CD010876
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Abstract
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.
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Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients Treated for Atrial Fibrillation With Ablation Has Long-Term Effects: 12-and 24-Month Follow-up Results From the Randomized CopenHeartRFA Trial.
Risom, SS, Zwisler, AD, Sibilitz, KL, Rasmussen, TB, Taylor, RS, Thygesen, LC, Madsen, TS, Svendsen, JH, Berg, SK
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2020;(11):1877-1886
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess outcomes at 12 and 24 months after participation in a multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation program plus usual care compared with usual care alone for patients treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation. DESIGN Long-term follow-up on the randomized CopenHeartRFA trial. SETTING Patients were enrolled and outcome assessed at the hospital and the intervention were carried out at the hospital or at local rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS Patients (N=210) treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation included in the CopenHeartRFA trial. INTERVENTIONS A 6-month cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of physical exercise and psychoeducational consultations plus usual care or usual care alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Physical capacity was measured by peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak) at 12 months, and patient-reported outcomes on perceived health, anxiety, and depression were collected by validated questionnaires at 12 and 24 months. Information on hospital admissions and mortality was collected through national registers up to 24 months. RESULTS Mean Vo2peak was higher at 12 months in the cardiac rehabilitation group (cardiac rehabilitation group: 25.82 mL/kg/min vs usual care group, 22.43 mL/kg/min, P=.003). A lower proportion of patients had high levels of anxiety at 24 months in the cardiac rehabilitation group compared to usual care (12% vs 24%, P=.004). There was no difference in mortality or hospital admissions at 24 months between groups. CONCLUSIONS This long-term follow-up of a comprehensive multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation program for patients treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation found sustained improvements with respect to physical capacity and anxiety compared to usual care but no difference on mortality or hospital admission.
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Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Visceral and Liver Fat in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Taylor, JL, Holland, DJ, Mielke, GI, Bailey, TG, Johnson, NA, Leveritt, MD, Gomersall, SR, Rowlands, AV, Coombes, JS, Keating, SE
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). 2020;(7):1245-1253
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise intensity on visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat reduction in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) over 3 months and the maintenance of improvements over 12 months. METHODS Forty-two participants with CAD were randomized to three sessions/week of either 4 × 4-minute high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or 40 minutes of usual care moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) for a 4-week supervised cardiac rehabilitation program, followed by three home-based sessions/week for 11 months. Liver fat (as intrahepatic lipid) and VAT were measured via magnetic resonance techniques. Data are mean change (95% CI). RESULTS HIIT and MICT significantly reduced VAT over 3 months (-350 [-548 to -153] cm3 vs. -456 [-634 to -278] cm3 ; time × group effect: P = 0.421), with further improvement over 12 months (-545 [-818 to -271] cm3 vs. -521 [-784 to -258] cm3 ; time × group effect: P = 0.577) and no differences between groups. Both groups improved liver fat over 3 months, with HIIT tending to show greater reduction than MICT (-2.8% [-4.0% to -1.6%] vs. -1.4% [-2.4% to -0.4%]; time × group effect: P = 0.077). After 12 months, improvements were maintained to a similar degree. Higher exercise intensity predicted liver fat reduction (β = -0.3 [-0.7 to 0.0]; P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS HIIT and MICT reduced VAT over 3 and 12 months. For liver fat, HIIT tended to provide a slightly greater reduction compared with MICT. These findings support HIIT as a beneficial adjunct or alternative to MICT for reducing visceral and liver fat in patients with CAD.
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Cardiac rehabilitation of elderly patients in eight rehabilitation units in western Europe: Outcome data from the EU-CaRE multi-centre observational study.
Prescott, E, Eser, P, Mikkelsen, N, Holdgaard, A, Marcin, T, Wilhelm, M, Gil, CP, González-Juanatey, JR, Moatemri, F, Iliou, MC, et al
European journal of preventive cardiology. 2020;(16):1716-1729
Abstract
AIMS: The European Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Elderly (EU-CaRE) HORIZON 2020 project compares the sustainable effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in elderly patients. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 1633 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart valve replacement (HVR), with or without revascularization, aged 65 or above, who participated in CR were included. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), smoking, body mass index, diet, physical activity, serum lipids, psychological distress and medication were assessed before and after CR (T0 and T1) and after 12 months (T2). Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or surgical HVR had lower VO2peak at T0 and a greater increase to T1 and T2 (2.8 and 4.4 ml/kg/min, respectively) than CAD patients undergoing percutaneous or no revascularization (1.6 and 1.4 ml/kg/min, respectively). After multivariable adjustment, earlier CR uptake was associated with greater improvements in VO2peak. The proportion of CAD patients with three or more uncontrolled risk factors declined from 58.4% at T0 to 40.1% at T2 (p < 0.0001). Psychological distress scores all improved and adherence to medication was overall good at all sites. There were significant differences in risk factor burden across sites, but no CR program was superior to others. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of VO2peak in CR programs across Europe seemed mainly determined by timing of uptake and were maintained or even further improved at 1-year follow-up. Despite significant improvements, 40.1% of CAD patients still had three or more risk factors not at target after 1 year. Differences across sites could not be ascribed to characteristics of the CR programs offered.
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Effects of eHealth-Based Interventions on Adherence to Components of Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.
Kebapci, A, Ozkaynak, M, Lareau, SC
The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. 2020;(1):74-85
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the effects of eHealth-based interventions on patient adherence to components of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). METHODS The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guided this review. Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published from January 1996 to December 2017. All studies were included in which eHealth-based components of CR and its effects on patient adherence were measured. Because this review included a heterogeneous group of study designs, the authors qualitatively described the effect of eHealth on adherence into a narrative approach. RESULTS A total of 1520 studies were identified, with 1415 excluded after screening. Of the remaining 105 studies, 90 were excluded after full text assessment, leaving 15 studies for analysis. Most (11) of the 15 studies reported on medication adherence. Other studies focused on adherence to diet, physical activity, vital signs, weight, step counts, smoking, and fluid restriction. The type of eHealth used also varied, ranging from telemonitoring and web-based applications to telephone calls. Of the 15 studies, 7 reported significant improvements with eHealth-based components of CR on adherence. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This review summarizes the effects of eHealth on components of CR and revealed variations in measurement and evaluation methods. The telemonitoring and web-based applications for self-care behaviors were most effective in promoting adherence. The measurement of adherence should be based on an explicit definition of adherence and should be measured with validated scales tested in the CR population.