[Effects of a phase II cardiac rehabilitation program performed on an outpatient basis]

Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Propensity to Change Risk Behaviors Following Myocardial Infarction: Implications for Healthy Lifestyle Medicine

Failure to change risk behaviors following myocardial infarction (MI) increases the likelihood of recurrent MI and death. Lower-socioeconomic status (SES) patients are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors prior to MI. Less well known is whether propensity to change risk behaviors after MI also varies inversely with SES. We performed a systematized literature review addressing changes in risk behaviors following MI as a function of SES. 2160 abstracts were reviewed and 44 met eligibility criteria. Behaviors included smoking cessation, cardiac rehabilitation (CR), medication adherence, diet, and physical activity (PA). For each behavior, lower-SES patients were less likely to change after MI. Overall, lower-SES patients were 2 to 4 times less likely to make needed behavior changes (OR's 0.25-0.56). Lower-SES populations are less successful at changing risk behaviors post-MI. Increasing their participation in CR/secondary prevention programs, which address multiple risk behaviors, including increasing PA and exercise, should be a priority of healthy lifestyle medicine (HLM).

Cardiac rehabilitation in Germany

The purpose of this review is to give an overview of the rehabilitation measures provided for cardiac patients in Germany and to outline its legal basis and outcomes. In Germany the cardiac rehabilitation system is different from rehabilitation measures in other European countries. Cardiac rehabilitation in Germany since 1885 is based on specific laws and the regulations of insurance providers. Cardiac rehabilitation has predominantly been offered as an inpatient service, but has recently been complemented by outpatient services. A general agreement on the different indications for offering these two services has yet to be reached. Cardiac rehabilitation is mainly offered after an acute cardiac event and bypass surgery. It is also indicated in severe heart failure and special cases of percutaneous coronary intervention. Most patients are men (>65%) and the age at which events occur is increasing. The benefits obtained during the 3-4 weeks after an acute event, and confirmed in numerous studies, are often later lost under 'usual care' conditions. Many attempts have been made by rehabilitation institutions to improve this deficit by providing intensive aftercare. One instrument set up to achieve this is the nationwide institution currently comprising more than 6000 heart groups with approximately 120000 outpatients. After coronary artery bypass grafting or acute coronary syndrome cardiac rehabilitation can usually be started within 10 days. The multidisciplinary rehabilitation team consists of cardiologists, psychologists, exercise therapists, social workers, nutritionists and nurses. The positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation are also important economically, for example, for the improvement of secondary prevention and vocational integration.

[Cardiac rehabilitation in Germany: a successful model with promising prospects]

Over the past 20 years the German Pension Insurance has rehabilitated nearly 800,000 patients with coronary heart disease. In particular, phase-II rehabilitation has been established as an integral part of cardiac patient care. However, the decreasing number of participants in phase-III must be seen critically. Today's cardiac rehabilitation is characterised by evidence-based treatment modules and a sophisticated quality assurance system that ensures quality orientation in all aspects, from access to rehabilitation through to aftercare. Future developments such as vocationally-oriented medical rehabilitation and the use of new technologies will further improve cardiac rehabilitation. Positive patient feedback and scientific evidence of the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation are further incentives to maintain this forward-looking approach.

Long-term results of a three-week intensive cardiac out-patient rehabilitation program in motivated patients with low social status

The short-term benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are well established. In contrast, well-documented long-term results are rare. The objective of this longitudinal multi-centre observational study was to examine the effects of intensive out-patient CR in a larger patient cohort, especially for patients with low social status. We present the final results 24 months after CR.

METHODS

The study group of 327 patients (288 men, 39 women, aged 56.0+/-10.8 years, coronary artery disease in 295, other cardiac diseases in 32) participated in a 3- week CR programme followed by clinical re-evaluations 6 (III), 12 (IV) an 24 (V) months later.

RESULTS

The improvement in mean maximal performance of 100.5+/-31.4 to 123.1+/-36.2 W (p<0.01) achieved during CR was further improved to 128.7+/-40.9 W (p < 0,01) after 24 months. Of the patients, 61.2% reported regular physical activity during the 24 months of the study. The lipid management achieved by CR was maintained over 24 month. At I 65%, at II 84.4% and at V 82.4% of the patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were undergoing lipid lowering therapy. BMI increased from 26.8+/-3.0 to 27.6+/-3.6 kg/m2 (p < 0.01) during follow-up. Of the patients, 23.2% were active smokers at V. Cardiovascular diagnosis remained unaltered in 74.3% of patients. The obtained results are interesting with respect to the social status of the patients since 68% were general laborers. The results confirm the long-term effectiveness of an intensive 3-week out-patient CR programme. Most of the benefits achieved by CR appear to be sustainable in this population for at least 2 years.

Cardiac rehabilitation in England: a detailed national survey

AIMS

The purpose of this study is to conduct a detailed analysis of cardiac rehabilitation programmes in England to compare actual provision with the recommendations of the National Service Framework and Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network guidelines.

METHODS

Questionnaires and interviews were conducted with key staff from one centre in each Strategic Health Authority in England to establish staffing levels, patient throughput, programme details, data collection and funding.

RESULTS

There were major discrepancies between programmes and the national recommendations. Perceptions of the service were often at variance within key staff in the trust. Staffing levels, lack of facilities and space were identified as a weakness in many of the programmes. Inadequate exercise sessions, poor record keeping and a failure to tailor the sessions to the patients needs were common. Mean funding was pound288 per patient rehabilitated.

CONCLUSIONS

For those 30% of eligible patients who enter cardiac rehabilitation in England, the service suffers from inadequate staffing, facilities and space, associated with gross underfunding. If the recommended 85% of eligible patients were included the situation would be much worse. The Department of Health recommendations for cardiac rehabilitation have not been translated into action, with most hospitals giving it low priority compared with other cardiology services. A treatment with demonstrable benefits should at least meet the standards recommended by national guidelines.