A meta-analysis of mental health treatments and cardiac rehabilitation for improving clinical outcomes and depression among patients with coronary heart disease

Exploration of therapeutic models for psycho-cardiology: From cardiac to psychological rehabilitation

The prevalence and mortality of cardiovascular disease are relatively high. Currently, depression has been proven to be an independent risk factor for the occurrence and poor prognosis of cardiovascular disease. Psycho-cardiovascular comorbidity, as a reciprocal cause and effect, affects each other, leading to the deterioration of clinical prognosis and forming a vicious circle. Coronary artery disease comorbidity with depression is a common disease in psycho-cardiology medicine. This paper expounds on the exploration of the treatment model of psycho-cardiology from the aspects of epidemiological characteristics, comorbidity mechanism, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

Acute Coronary Syndrome

One percent of primary care visits are due to chest pain. It is critical for the primary care physician to have a high index of suspicion for acute coronary syndrome and understand the management of this important condition. This article reviews the outpatient evaluation and management of chest pain and summarizes the key points of inpatient evaluation and treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

Digital Health Secondary Prevention Using Co-Design Procedures: Focus Group Study With Health Care Providers and Patients With Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a debilitating condition and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Digital health is a promising approach for delivering secondary prevention to support patients with a history of MI and for reducing risk factors that can lead to a future event. However, its potential can only be fulfilled when the technology meets the needs of the end users who will be interacting with this secondary prevention.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to gauge the opinions of patients with a history of MI and health professionals concerning the functions, features, and characteristics of a digital health solution to support post-MI care.

METHODS

Our approach aligned with the gold standard participatory co-design procedures enabling progressive refinement of feedback via exploratory, confirmatory, and prototype-assisted feedback from participants. Patients with a history of MI and health professionals from Australia attended focus groups over a videoconference system. We engaged with 38 participants across 3 rounds of focus groups using an iterative co-design approach. Round 1 included 8 participants (4 patients and 4 health professionals), round 2 included 24 participants (11 patients and 13 health professionals), and round 3 included 22 participants (14 patients and 8 health professionals).

RESULTS

Participants highlighted the potential of digital health in addressing the unmet needs of post-MI care. Both patients with a history of MI and health professionals agreed that mental health is a key concern in post-MI care that requires further support. Participants agreed that family members can be used to support postdischarge care and require support from the health care team. Participants agreed that incorporating simple games with a points system can increase long-term engagement. However, patients with a history of MI emphasized a lack of support from their health care team, family, and community more strongly than health professionals. They also expressed some openness to using artificial intelligence, whereas health professionals expressed that users should not be aware of artificial intelligence use.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide valuable insights into the development of digital health secondary preventions aimed at supporting patients with a history of MI. Future research can implement a pilot study in the population with MI to trial these recommendations in a real-world setting.

Predictors of Psychological Distress among Post-Operative Cardiac Patients: A Narrative Review

Following surgery, over 50% of cardiac surgery patients report anxiety, stress and/or depression, with at least 10% meeting clinical diagnoses, which can persist for more than a year. Psychological distress predicts post-surgery health outcomes for cardiac patients. Therefore, post-operative distress represents a critical recovery challenge affecting both physical and psychological health. Despite some research identifying key personal, social, and health service correlates of patient distress, a review or synthesis of this evidence remains unavailable. Understanding these factors can facilitate the identification of high-risk patients, develop tailored support resources and interventions to support optimum recovery. This narrative review synthesises evidence from 39 studies that investigate personal, social, and health service predictors of post-surgery psychological distress among cardiac patients. The following factors predicted lower post-operative distress: participation in pre-operative education, cardiac rehabilitation, having a partner, happier marriages, increased physical activity, and greater social interaction. Conversely, increased pain and functional impairment predicted greater distress. The role of age, and sex in predicting distress is inconclusive. Understanding several factors is limited by the inability to carry out experimental manipulations for ethical reasons (e.g., pain). Future research would profit from addressing key methodological limitations and exploring the role of self-efficacy, pre-operative distress, and pre-operative physical activity. It is recommended that cardiac patients be educated pre-surgery and attend cardiac rehabilitation to decrease distress.

Management of Residual Risk in Chronic Coronary Syndromes. Clinical Pathways for a Quality-Based Secondary Prevention

Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), which encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical presentations of coronary artery disease (CAD), is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent guidelines for the management of CCS emphasize the dynamic nature of the CAD process, replacing the term "stable" with "chronic", as this disease is never truly "stable". Despite significant advances in the treatment of CAD, patients with CCS remain at an elevated risk of major cardiovascular events (MACE) due to the so-called residual cardiovascular risk. Several pathogenetic pathways (thrombotic, inflammatory, metabolic, and procedural) may distinctly contribute to the residual risk in individual patients and represent a potential target for newer preventive treatments. Identifying the level and type of residual cardiovascular risk is essential for selecting the most appropriate diagnostic tests and follow-up procedures. In addition, new management strategies and healthcare models could further support available treatments and lead to important prognostic benefits. This review aims to provide an overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the management of patients with CCS and to promote more effective multidisciplinary care.

2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Chronic Coronary Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Chronic Coronary Disease" provides an update to and consolidates new evidence since the "2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease" and the corresponding "2014 ACC/AHA/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Focused Update of the Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease."

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from September 2021 to May 2022. Clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and other evidence conducted on human participants were identified that were published in English from MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline.

STRUCTURE

This guideline provides an evidenced-based and patient-centered approach to management of patients with chronic coronary disease, considering social determinants of health and incorporating the principles of shared decision-making and team-based care. Relevant topics include general approaches to treatment decisions, guideline-directed management and therapy to reduce symptoms and future cardiovascular events, decision-making pertaining to revascularization in patients with chronic coronary disease, recommendations for management in special populations, patient follow-up and monitoring, evidence gaps, and areas in need of future research. Where applicable, and based on availability of cost-effectiveness data, cost-value recommendations are also provided for clinicians. Many recommendations from previously published guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data.

2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Chronic Coronary Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2023 AHA/ACC/ACCP/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline for the Management of Patients With Chronic Coronary Disease" provides an update to and consolidates new evidence since the "2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease" and the corresponding "2014 ACC/AHA/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Focused Update of the Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease."

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from September 2021 to May 2022. Clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and other evidence conducted on human participants were identified that were published in English from MEDLINE (through PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline.

STRUCTURE

This guideline provides an evidenced-based and patient-centered approach to management of patients with chronic coronary disease, considering social determinants of health and incorporating the principles of shared decision-making and team-based care. Relevant topics include general approaches to treatment decisions, guideline-directed management and therapy to reduce symptoms and future cardiovascular events, decision-making pertaining to revascularization in patients with chronic coronary disease, recommendations for management in special populations, patient follow-up and monitoring, evidence gaps, and areas in need of future research. Where applicable, and based on availability of cost-effectiveness data, cost-value recommendations are also provided for clinicians. Many recommendations from previously published guidelines have been updated with new evidence, and new recommendations have been created when supported by published data.

Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Cardiac Disease: Implications for Clinical Practice

Cognitive impairment is common in patients with cardiovascular disease. One in 3 patients presenting at cardiology clinics have some degree of cognitive impairment, depending on the cardiac condition, comorbidities, and age. In up to half of these cases cognitive impairment may go unrecognized; however, it may affect self-management and treatment adherence. The high prevalence of cognitive impairment in patients with cardiac disease is likely due to shared risk factors, as well as direct consequences of cardiac dysfunction on the brain. Moreover, cardiac interventions may have beneficial as well as adverse effects on cognitive functioning. In this review, we describe prevalence and risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with several common cardiac conditions: heart failure, coronary artery disease, and aortic valve stenosis. We discuss the potential effects of guideline-based treatments on cognition and identify open questions and unmet needs. Given the high prevalence of unrecognized cognitive impairment in cardiac patients, we recommend a stepwise approach to improve detection and management of cognitive impairment.

Association of clinical, laboratory and imaging biomarkers with the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction in patients without standard modifiable risk factors - rationale and design of the "Beyond-SMuRFs Study"

BACKGROUND

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The majority of patients who suffer an AMI have a history of at least one of the standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs): smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. However, emerging scientific evidence recognizes a clinically significant and increasing proportion of patients presenting with AMI without any SMuRF (SMuRF-less patients). To date, there are no adequate data to define specific risk factors or biomarkers associated with the development of AMIs in these patients.

METHODS

The ''Beyond-SMuRFs Study'' is a prospective, non-interventional cohort trial designed to enroll patients with AMI and no previous coronary intervention history, who undergo coronary angiography in two academic hospitals in Thessaloniki, Greece. The rationale of the study is to investigate potential relations between SMuRF-less AMIs and the clinical, laboratory and imaging profile of patients, by comparing parameters between patients with and without SMuRFs. Complete demographic and comprehensive clinical data will be recorded, Venous blood samples will be collected before coronary angiography and the following parameters will be measured: total blood count, standard biochemistry parameters, coagulation tests, hormone levels, glycosylated hemoglobin, N- terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T levels- as well as serum levels of novel atherosclerosis indicators and pro-inflammatory biomarkers. Furthermore, all participants will undergo a complete and comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic assessment according to a pre-specified protocol within 24 h from admission. Among others, 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiographic analysis of cardiac chambers and non-invasive calculation of myocardial work indices for the left ventricle will be performed. Moreover, all patients will be assessed for angiographic parameters and the complexity of coronary artery disease using the SYNTAX score. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models will be used to phenotypically characterize SMuRF-less patients and investigate independent clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic and angiographic biomarkers-predictors of SMuRF-less status in AMI.The first patient was enrolled in March 2022 and completion of enrollment is expected until December 2023.

DISCUSSION

The ''Beyond-SmuRFs'' study is an ongoing prospective trial aiming to investigate potential clinical, laboratory and imaging biomarkers associated with the occurrence of AMIs in SMuRF-less patients. The configuration of these patients' profiles could lead to the development of personalized risk-stratification models predicting the occurrence of cardiovascular events in SΜuRF-less individuals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05535582 / September 10, 2022.

Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills Improve Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Prognoses of CHD Patients after PCI with Anxiety or Depression (GLAD Study): A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills (GXDS) in the treatment of depression or anxiety in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

From September 2017 to June 2019, 200 CHD patients after PCI with depression and anxiety were included and randomly divided into GXDS (100 cases) and placebo control groups (100 cases) by block randomization and a random number table. Patients in the GXDS and control groups were given GXDS and placebo, respectively, 0.4 g each time, 3 times daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7) and the Seattle Angina Pectoris Scale (SAQ). The secondary outcomes included 12 Health Survey Summary Form (SF-12) scores and the first onset time and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Other indices including blood pressure, blood lipids, microcirculation and inflammatory-related indices, etc. were monitored at baseline, week 4, and week 12.

RESULTS

In the full analysis set (200 cases), after treatment, the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores in the GXDS group were considerably lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the baseline, the total PHQ-9 scores of the experimental and control groups decreased by 3.97 and 1.18, respectively. The corrected mean difference between the two groups was -2.78 (95% CI: -3.47, -2.10; P<0.001). The total GAD-7 score in the GXDS group decreased by 3.48% compared with the baseline level, while that of the placebo group decreased by 1.13%. The corrected mean difference between the two groups was -2.35 (95% CI: -2.95, -1.76; P<0.001). The degree of improvement in SAQ score, SF-12 score, endothelin and high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels in the GXDS group were substantially superior than those in the placebo group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Similar results were obtained in the per protocol population analysis of 177 patients. Three cases of MACES were reported in this study (1 in the GXDS group and 2 in the placebo group), and no serious adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

GXDS can significantly alleviate depression and anxiety, relieve symptoms of angina, and improve quality of life in patients with CHD after PCI. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800014291).

Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Living Alone Associations With Mortality Risk in Individuals Living With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of associations between loneliness, social isolation, and living alone and risk of mortality among individuals with established cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

Five electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE [Ovid], PsycINFO, EMBASE, PubMed, and SCOPUS) from inception to November 25, 2021. In all, 35 studies were included in a narrative synthesis and, where appropriate, a meta-analytic evaluation using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Living alone was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality ( k = 15, n = 80,243, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20-1.83, I2 = 83%), and meta-regressions found that the effects were stronger in studies from Europe and with longer follow-up. However, there was evidence of publication bias. Social isolation was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, measured both as a dichotomous variable ( k = 3, n = 2648, HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.08-2.04, I2 = 31%) and as a continuous variable ( k = 5, n = 2388, HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.02-1.24, I2 = 51%). Meta-analysis was not feasible for loneliness as exposure, but narrative synthesis of four studies suggested a tentative association between loneliness and increased risk of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Supporting public health concerns, our review finds that loneliness, social isolation, and living alone are associated with premature mortality among individuals with established cardiovascular disease. However, evidence of publication bias and large methodological differences across studies point to the need for more rigorous research.

Women-Focused Cardiovascular Rehabilitation: An International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Clinical Practice Guideline

Women-focused cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR; phase II) aims to better engage women, and might result in better quality of life than traditional programs. This first clinical practice guideline by the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) provides guidance on how to deliver women-focused programming. The writing panel comprised experts with diverse geographic representation, including multidisciplinary health care providers, a policy-maker, and patient partners. The guideline was developed in accordance with Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealTh care (RIGHT). Initial recommendations were on the basis of a meta-analysis. These were circulated to a Delphi panel (comprised of corresponding authors from review articles and of programs delivering women-focused CR identified through ICCPR's audit; N = 76), who were asked to rate each on a 7-point Likert scale in terms of impact and implementability (higher scores positive). A Web call was convened to achieve consensus; 15 panelists confirmed strength of revised recommendations (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation [GRADE]). The draft underwent external review from CR societies internationally and was posted for public comment. The 14 drafted recommendations related to referral (systematic, encouragement), setting (model choice, privacy, staffing), and delivery (exercise mode, psychosocial, education, self-management empowerment). Nineteen (25.0%) survey responses were received. For all but 1 recommendation, ≥ 75% voted to include; implementability ratings were < 5/7 for 4 recommendations, but only 1 for effect. Ultimately 1 recommendation was excluded, 1 separated into 2 and all revised (2 substantively); 1 recommendation was added. Overall, certainty of evidence for the final recommendations was low to moderate, and strength mostly strong. These recommendations and associated tools can support all programs to feasibly offer some women-focused programming.

Efficacy of the Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine in Coronary Heart Disease Comorbid with Anxiety and Depression: A Meta-Analysis

Objective

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of the integration of Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) which is comorbid with anxiety and depression.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in databases such as VIP, WanFang, CNKI, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library from the inception of databases to November 2021. RCTs on treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine were retrieved, and publications were screened according to the screening criteria. Software RevMan 5.4 was utilized to analyze related indicators.

Results

Thirteen eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. They involved a total of 1460 cases, including 747 cases in the TCM and Western medicine group, and 713 cases in the control group. Meta-analysis results illustrated that the difference in the relief of angina pectoris in treating CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression with the integration of TCM and Western medicine was statistically significant (OR = 3.97, 95% CI [2.47, 6.39], P < 0.05), and HAMD score, HAMA score, and clinical effective rate were statistically significant (MD = -4.11, 95% CI [-5.10, 3.12]), (SMD = 1.88, 95% CI [2.53, 1.24]), (OR = 9.71, 95% CI [4.65, 20.28]).

Conclusion

By combining TCM and Western medicine, the treatment of angina pectoris and CHD comorbid with anxiety and depression can alleviate anxiety and depression and can enhance patients' quality of life.

Neurovascular Dysfunction in Diverse Communities With Health Disparities-Contributions to Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) are an expanding worldwide crisis. In the absence of scientific breakthroughs, the global prevalence of ADRD will continue to increase as more people are living longer. Racial or ethnic minority groups have an increased risk and incidence of ADRD and have often been neglected by the scientific research community. There is mounting evidence that vascular insults in the brain can initiate a series of biological events leading to neurodegeneration, cognitive impairment, and ADRD. We are a group of researchers interested in developing and expanding ADRD research, with an emphasis on vascular contributions to dementia, to serve our local diverse community. Toward this goal, the primary objective of this review was to investigate and better understand health disparities in Alabama and the contributions of the social determinants of health to those disparities, particularly in the context of vascular dysfunction in ADRD. Here, we explain the neurovascular dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors contributing to dysfunction of the neurovascular unit (NVU). Next, we ascertain ethnoregional health disparities of individuals living in Alabama, as well as relevant vascular risk factors linked to AD. We also discuss current pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment options for neurovascular dysfunction, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD, including relevant studies and ongoing clinical trials. Overall, individuals in Alabama are adversely affected by social and structural determinants of health leading to health disparities, driven by rurality, ethnic minority status, and lower socioeconomic status (SES). In general, these communities have limited access to healthcare and healthy food and other amenities resulting in decreased opportunities for early diagnosis of and pharmaceutical treatments for ADRD. Although this review is focused on the current state of health disparities of ADRD patients in Alabama, future studies must include diversity of race, ethnicity, and region to best be able to treat all individuals affected by ADRD.

Sleep behaviour and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention during cardiac rehabilitation: protocol for a longitudinal study

INTRODUCTION

Most patients with coronary heart disease experience sleep disturbances and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), but their relationship during cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is still unclear. This article details a protocol for the study of sleep trajectory in patients with coronary heart disease during CR and the relationship between sleep and CRF. A better understanding of the relationship between sleep and CRF on patient outcomes can improve sleep management strategies.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a longitudinal study with a recruitment target of 101 patients after percutaneous cardiac intervention from the Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai, China. Data collection will include demographic characteristics, medical history, physical examination, blood sampling, echocardiography and the results of cardiopulmonary exercise tests. The information provided by a 6-min walk test will be used to supplement the CPET. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index will be used to understand the sleep conditions of the participants in the past month. The Patient Health Questionnaire and General Anxiety Disorder Scale will be used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. All participants will be required to wear an actigraphy on their wrists for 72 hours to monitor objective sleep conditions. This information will be collected four times within 6 months of CR, and patients will be followed up for 1 year. The growth mixture model will be used to analyse the longitudinal sleep data. The generalised estimating equation will be used to examine the associations between sleep and CRF during CR.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval for this observational longitudinal study was granted by the Shanghai Seventh People's Hospital Ethics Committee on 23 April 2021 (2021-7^th-HIRB-012). Study results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journal articles.

Severity of psychological distress over five years differs as a function of sex and presence of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Psychological distress is more prevalent and severe among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to healthy individuals. Little is known regarding its time course, and whether these differences extend to individuals with non-cardiovascular (CV) illnesses. This study examined the presence, severity, and time course of psychological distress in men and women with CAD and those of similarly aged individuals suffering from non-CV conditions.

METHODS

1229 individuals (61% men; mean_age = 60.4 ± 7.0 years) with stable CAD or non-CV illnesses reported on social support, hostility, stress, anxiety and depression at baseline as well as 4.8 ± 0.8 years later. Analyses involved mixed (Sex*CAD status*Time) repeated measures analyses (controlling for relevant covariates), as well as Chi-square and McNemar analyses.

RESULTS

Women with CAD reported more symptoms of depression compared to other participants at both evaluations (p's < 0.01), and reported more symptoms of anxiety and stress compared to others at T1 (p's < 0.05). At T2, perceived stress remained significantly greater among women with CAD compared to men (p's < 0.01), though differences in anxiety were no longer significant. Men reported more hostility than women (p = 0.001). CAD women fell within the clinical range for depression (p < 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), and stress (p = 0.030) more frequently compared to others at T1, and for depression (p = 0.009) and stress (p = 0.002) at T2.

CONCLUSIONS

The evolution of patient distress differed as a function of the measure examined, their sex, and/or CV status. While psychological distress was prevalent among these patients with diverse health conditions, women with CAD were particularly and chronically vulnerable.

Efficacy of psychological interventions on clinical outcomes of coronary artery disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Psychological factors influence clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, psychological interventions (PIs) may have beneficial effects in these patients. We evaluated the efficacy of PIs based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and positive psychology therapy (PPT) on clinical and laboratory outcomes in CAD.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials evaluating CBT or PPT in CAD patients published until May 2020 were systematically reviewed and analyzed. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, any cardiovascular event, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary revascularization, angina, and readmission. Random effects meta-analyses using the inverse variance method were performed. Effects were expressed as risk ratios (RR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Twenty-five trials were included (n = 8119); 22 evaluating the effects of multi-component CBT (n = 7909), and three PPT (n = 210). Thirteen RCTs were at high risk of bias due to limitations in randomization or blinding. Compared with control groups any cardiovascular event (RR 0.82; 0.70 to 0.97; 5 studies), MI (RR 0.72; 0.52 to 0.98; 9 studies), and angina duration and intensity (SMD -0.64; -0.98 to -0.30; 4 studies; and -0.64; -1.17 to -0.11; 2 trials) were significantly reduced with PIs at the end of follow-up. PIs had no effect on other primary outcomes, laboratory or anthropometrical results and presented a moderate to high heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

CBT- and PPT-based PIs reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, MI and angina in patients with CAD. Future research should assess the individual role of CBT and PPT in CAD populations.

2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The guideline for coronary artery revascularization replaces the 2011 coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the 2011 and 2015 percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines, providing a patient-centric approach to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing coronary revascularization as well as the supporting documentation to encourage their use.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2019 to September 2019, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, CINHL Complete, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2021, were also considered. Structure: Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Coronary revascularization is an important therapeutic option when managing patients with coronary artery disease. The 2021 coronary artery revascularization guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with coronary artery disease who are being considered for coronary revascularization, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests.

2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The guideline for coronary artery revascularization replaces the 2011 coronary artery bypass graft surgery and the 2011 and 2015 percutaneous coronary intervention guidelines, providing a patient-centric approach to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with significant coronary artery disease undergoing coronary revascularization as well as the supporting documentation to encourage their use.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from May 2019 to September 2019, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that were published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Collaboration, CINHL Complete, and other relevant databases. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2021, were also considered.

STRUCTURE

Coronary artery disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Coronary revascularization is an important therapeutic option when managing patients with coronary artery disease. The 2021 coronary artery revascularization guideline provides recommendations based on contemporary evidence for the treatment of these patients. The recommendations present an evidence-based approach to managing patients with coronary artery disease who are being considered for coronary revascularization, with the intent to improve quality of care and align with patients' interests.

The impact of patient education on knowledge, attitudes, and cardiac rehabilitation attendance among patients with coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE

Patient education (PE) delivered during exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) aims to promote health behaviour change, including attendance at CR exercise sessions, by imparting knowledge about coronary artery disease (CAD) and improving CR-related attitudes. This study evaluated the impact of PE on aspects of patient motivation (i.e., CAD-related knowledge, attitudes towards CR) and exercise session attendance.

METHODS

Adults with CAD referred to a 12-week CR program were recruited. CAD knowledge, perceived necessity/suitability of CR, exercise concerns, and barriers to CR were assessed pre/post-PE, and at 12-week follow-up. CR exercise attendance was obtained by chart review.

RESULTS

Among 90 patients (60 ± 10 years; 88% men), CAD knowledge and perceived necessity of CR improved pre- to post-PE; gains persisted at 12-weeks. Stronger pre-CR intentions to attend exercise sessions predicted greater attendance. Greater knowledge gains did not predict improvements in CR attitudes or exercise attendance.

CONCLUSION

Whereas PE may be useful for improving knowledge and attitudes regarding CAD self-management, more formative research is needed to determine whether PE can promote CR attendance.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Cardiac PE programs may be more successful in promoting exercise attendance if they target patients' behavioural intentions to attend and attitudes toward CR, rather than focussing exclusively on imparting knowledge.

Lifestyle management to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: evidence and challenges

Lifestyle management is the cornerstone of both primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and the importance of lifestyle management is emphasised by all major guidelines. Despite this, actual implementation of lifestyle management is poor. Lifestyle modification includes smoking cessation, weight loss, dietary change, increasing physical inactivity, and stress management. This review summarises evidence-based opportunities and challenges for healthcare professionals to promote healthy lifestyles at an individual level for the prevention of ASCVD.

Effectiveness of Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation in High-Risk Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in Real-World Practice

Structured lifestyle interventions through cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are critical to improving the outcome of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiometabolic risk factors. CR programs' variability in real-world practice may impact CR effects. This study evaluates intensive CR (ICR) and standard CR (SCR) programs for improving cardiometabolic, psychosocial, and clinical outcomes in high-risk CVD patients undergoing guideline-based therapies. Both programs provided lifestyle counseling and the same supervised exercise component. ICR additionally included a specialized plant-based diet, stress management, and social support. Changes in body weight (BW), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and exercise capacity (EC) were primary outcomes. A total of 314 patients (101 ICR and 213 SCR, aged 66 ± 13 years, 75% overweight/obese, 90% coronary artery disease, 29% heart failure, 54% non-optimal LDL-C, 43% depressive symptoms) were included. Adherence to ICR was 96% vs. 68% for SCR. Only ICR resulted in a decrease in BW (3.4%), LDL-C (11.3%), other atherogenic lipids, glycated hemoglobin, and systolic blood pressure. Both ICR and SCR increased EC (52.2% and 48.7%, respectively) and improved adiposity indices, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol intake, depression, and quality of life, but more for ICR. Within 12.6 ± 4.8 months post-CR, major adverse cardiac events were less likely in the ICR than SCR group (11% vs. 17%), especially heart failure hospitalizations (2% vs. 8%). A comprehensive ICR enhanced by a plant-based diet and psychosocial management is feasible and effective for improving the outcomes in high-risk CVD patients in real-world practice.

A Review of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Model of Microbial, Immune and Neuropsychological Integration

Objective: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are complex chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract with uncertain etiology. IBDs comprise two idiopathic disorders: Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The aetiology, severity and progression of such disorders are still poorly understood but thought to be influenced by multiple factors (including genetic, environmental, immunological, physiological, psychological factors and gut microbiome) and their interactions. The overarching aim of this review is to evaluate the extent and nature of the interrelationship between these factors with the disease course. A broader conceptual and longitudinal framework of possible neuro-visceral integration, core microbiome analysis and immune modulation assessment may be useful in accurately documenting and characterizing the nature and temporal continuity of crosstalk between these factors and the role of their interaction (s) in IBD disease activity. Characterization of these interactions holds the promise of identifying novel diagnostic, interventions, and therapeutic strategies.

Material and Methods: A search of published literature was conducted by exploring PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Medline Plus, CDSR library databases. Following search terms relating to key question were set for the search included: “Inflammatory bowel diseases,” “gut microbiota,” “psychological distress and IBD,” “autonomic reactivity and IBD,” “immune modulation,” “chronic inflammation,” “gut inflammation,” “enteric nervous system,” “gut nervous system,” “Crohn’s disease,” “Ulcerative colitis”, “depression and IBD”, “anxiety and IBD”, “quality of life in IBD patients,” “relapse in IBDs,” “remission in IBDs,” “IBD disease activity,” “brain-gut-axis,” “microbial signature in IBD,” “validated questionnaires in IBD,” “IBD activity indices,” “IBD aetiology,” “IBDs and stress,” “epidemiology of IBDs”, “autonomic nervous system and gut inflammation”, “IBD and environment,” “genetics of IBDs,” “pathways of immune response in IBDs,” “sleep disturbances in IBD,” “hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA),” “sympatho-adrenal axis,” “CNS and its control of gut function” “mucosal immune response,” “commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the gut,” “innate and adaptive immunity.” Studies evaluating any possible associations between gut microbiome, psychological state, immune modulation, and autonomic function with IBDs were identified. Commonly cited published literatures with high quality research methodology/results and additional articles from bibliographies of recovered papers were examined and included where relevant.

Results: Although there is a substantial literature identifying major contributing factors with IBD, there has been little attempt to integrate some factors over time and assess their interplay and relationship with IBD disease activity. Such contributing factors include genetic and environmental factors, gut microbiota composition and function, physiological factors, psychological state and gut immune response. Interdependences are evident across psychological and biological factors and IBD disease activity. Although from the available evidence, it is implausible that a single explanatory model could elucidate the interplay between such factors and the disease course as well as the sequence of the effect during the pathophysiology of IBD.

Conclusion: Longitudinal monitoring of IBD patients and integrating data related to the contributing/risk factors including psychological state, physiological conditions, inflammatory/immune modulations, and microbiome composition/function, could help to explain how major factors associate and interrelate leading to exacerbation of symptoms and disease activity. Identifying the temporal trajectory of biological and psychosocial disturbances may also help to assess their effects and interdependence on individuals’ disease status. Moreover, this allows greater insight into understanding the temporal progressions of subclinical events as potential ground for disease severity in IBD. Furthermore, understanding the interaction between these risk factors may help better interventions in controlling the disease, reducing the costs related to disease management, further implications for clinical practice and research approaches in addition to improving patients’ mental health and quality of life.

Efficacy of psychological interventions on psychological outcomes in coronary artery disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The benefits of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and positive psychology therapy (PPT) in patients with cardiovascular disease are still not well defined. We assessed the efficacy of CBT and PPT on psychological outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials evaluating CBT or PPT in CAD patients published until May 2018 were systematically analyzed. Primary outcomes were depression, stress, anxiety, anger, happiness, and vital satisfaction. Random effects meta-analyses using the inverse variance method were performed. Effects were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean differences (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs); risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool.

RESULTS

Nineteen trials were included (n = 1956); sixteen evaluated CBT (n = 1732), and three PPT (n = 224). Compared with control groups, depressive symptoms (13 trials; SMD -0.80; 95% CI -1.33 to -0.26), and anxiety (11 trials; SMD -1.26; 95% CI -2.11 to -0.41) improved after the PI, and depression (6 trials; SMD -2.08; 95% CI -3.22 to -0.94), anxiety (5 trials; SMD -1.33; 95% CI -2.38 to -0.29), and stress (3 trials; SMD -3.72; 95% CI -5.91 to -1.52) improved at the end of follow-up. Vital satisfaction was significantly increased at follow-up (MD 1.30, 0.27, 2.33). Non-significant effects on secondary outcomes were found. Subgroup analyses were consistent with overall analyses.

CONCLUSION

CBT and PPT improve several psychological outcomes in CAD patients. Depression and anxiety improved immediately after the intervention while stress and vital satisfaction improve in the mid-term. Future research should assess the individual role of CBT and PPT in CAD populations.

Patient-reported outcomes, sociodemographic and clinical factors are associated with 1-year mortality in patients with ischemic heart disease-findings from the DenHeart cohort study

PURPOSE

In patients with ischemic heart disease, the objectives were (1) to explore associations between patient-reported outcomes, sociodemographic, and clinical factors at discharge and 1-year all-cause mortality and (2) to investigate the discriminant predictive performance of the applied patient-reported outcome instruments on 1-year all-cause mortality.

METHODS

Data from the Danish national DenHeart cohort study were used. Eligible patients (n = 13,476) were invited to complete a questionnaire-package, of which 7167 (53%) responded. Questionnaires included the 12-item Short form health survey (SF-12), Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), EQ-5D, HeartQoL, Edmonton symptom assessment scale (ESAS), and ancillary questions on, e.g., social support. Clinical and demographic characteristics were obtained from registers, as were data on mortality. Comparative analyses were used to investigate differences in patient-reported outcomes. Mortality associations were explored using multifactorially adjusted Cox regression analyses. Predictive performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC).

RESULTS

Patient-reported outcomes at discharge differed among those alive versus those deceased at one year, e.g., depression (HADS-Depression ≥ 8) 19% vs. 44% (p < 0.001). Associations with 1-year mortality included feeling unsafe about returning home from the hospital; hazard ratio (HR) 2.07 (95% CI 1.2-3.61); high comorbidity level, HR 3.6 (95% CI 2.7-4.8); and being unmarried, HR 1.60 (95% CI 1.33-1.93). Best predictive performance was observed for SF-12 physical component summary (Area under the curve (AUC) 0.706).

CONCLUSION

Patient-reported health, sociodemographic, and clinical factors are associated with 1-year mortality. We propose systematic screening with robust predictive tools to identify patients at risk and healthcare initiatives to explore and offer effective treatment to modify patient-reported health indicators.

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.

Aerobic Exercise Effects on Quality of Life and Psychological Distress After an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate quality of life (QOL), psychological function, and self-efficacy outcomes in the Anti-Arrhythmic Effects of Exercise After an ICD Trial.

METHODS

In the Anti-Arrhythmic Effects of Exercise After an ICD Trial, 160 patients (124 men and 36 women) who had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for primary (43%) or secondary (57%) prevention were randomized to exercise (EX, n = 84) or usual care (UC, n = 76). The EX consisted of 8 wk of home walking 1 hr/d 5 d/wk, followed by 16 wk of maintenance home walking for 150 min/wk. Adherence was determined from exercise logs, ambulatory HR recordings, and phone calls. Assessments were conducted at baseline, 8, and 24 wk for QOL: Patient Concerns Assessment and Short Form-36; anxiety: State Trait Anxiety Inventory; depression: Physician Health Questionnaire-Depression; and self-efficacy: Self-Efficacy for Walking Scale.

RESULTS

Participants averaged 55 ± 12 yr of age with ejection fraction = 40.6 ± 15.7%. The EX significantly decreased depression severity (EX: 1.33 ± 0.64; UC: 1.51 ± 0.86, P = .05) and improved self-efficacy (EX: 7.65 ± 1.97; UC: 6.85 ± 2.40, P = .05) at 8 wk. There were no significant effects at 24 wk. Adherent exercisers had significant improvements in QOL, psychological, and self-efficacy outcomes at 8 and 24 wk compared with those who were nonadherent. There were no implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks associated with exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

The EX conferred significant effects on depression and self-efficacy at 8 wk, without effects on QOL. Adherent exercisers experienced significant improvements in outcomes over those who were nonadherent or received UC.

The effects of high-intensity interval training, Nordic walking and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training on functional capacity, depression and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial (CRX study)

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing revascularization procedures often experience ongoing, diminished functional capacity, high rates of depression and markedly low quality of life (QoL). In CAD patients, studies have demonstrated that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to traditional moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (MICT) for improving functional capacity, whereas no differences between Nordic walking (NW) and MICT have been observed. Mental health is equally as important as physical health, yet few studies have examined the impact of HIIT and NW on depression and QoL. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to compare the effects of 12 weeks of HIIT, NW and MICT on functional capacity in CAD patients. The effects on depression severity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and QoL were also examined.

METHODS

CAD patients who underwent coronary revascularization procedures were randomly assigned to: (1) HIIT (4 × 4-min of high-intensity work periods at 85%-95% peak heart rate [HR]), (2) NW (resting HR [RHR] + 20-40 bpm), or (3) MICT (RHR + 20-40 bpm) twice weekly for 12 weeks. Functional capacity (six-min walk test [6MWT]), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II]), BDNF (from a blood sample), and general (Short-Form 36 [SF-36]) and disease-specific (HeartQoL) QoL were measured at baseline and follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models for repeated measures were used to test the effects of time, group and time × group interactions.

RESULTS

N = 135 CAD patients (aged 61 ± 7 years; male: 85%) participated. A significant time × group interaction (p = 0.042) showed greater increases in 6MWT distance (m) for NW (77.2 ± 60.9) than HIIT (51.4 ± 47.8) and MICT (48.3 ± 47.3). BDI-II significantly improved (HIIT: -1.4 ± 3.7, NW: -1.6 ± 4.0, MICT: -2.3 ± 6.0 points, main effect of time: p < 0.001) whereas BDNF concentrations did not change (HIIT: -2.5 ± 9.6, NW: -0.4 ± 7.7, MICT: -1.2 ± 6.4 ng/mL, main effect of time: p > 0.05). Significant improvements in SF-36 and HeartQoL values were observed (main effects of time: p < 0.05). HIIT, NW and MICT participants attended 17.7 ± 7.5, 18.3 ± 8.0 and 16.1 ± 7.3 of the 24 exercise sessions, respectively (p = 0.387).

CONCLUSIONS

All exercise programmes (HIIT, NW, MICT) were well attended, safe and beneficial in improving physical and mental health for CAD patients. NW was, however, statistically and clinically superior in increasing functional capacity, a predictor of future cardiovascular events.

Hybrid Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Interventions for Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE

Depression is common in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with poor outcomes. Although different treatments are available, it is unclear which are best or most acceptable to patients, so we conducted a network meta-analysis of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of different depression treatments to ascertain relative efficacy.

METHODS

We searched for systematic reviews of RCTs of depression treatments in CAD and updated these with a comprehensive search for recent individual RCTs. RCTs comparing depression treatments (pharmacological, psychotherapeutic, combined pharmacological/psychotherapeutic, exercise, collaborative care) were included. Primary outcomes were acceptability (dropout rate) and change in depressive symptoms 8 week after treatment commencement. Change in 26-week depression and mortality were secondary outcomes. Frequentist, random-effects network meta-analysis was used to synthesize the evidence, and evidence quality was evaluated following Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations recommendations.

RESULTS

Thirty-three RCTs (7240 participants) provided analyzable data. All treatments were equally acceptable. At 8 weeks, combination therapy (1 study), exercise (1 study), and antidepressants (10 studies) yielded the strongest effects versus comparators. At 26 weeks, antidepressants were consistently effective, but psychotherapy was only effective versus usual care. There were no differences in treatment groups for mortality. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations ratings ranged from very low to low.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the evidence was limited and biased. Although all treatments for post-CAD depression were equally acceptable, antidepressants have the most robust evidence base and should be the first-line treatment. Combinations of antidepressants and psychotherapy, along with exercise, could be more effective than antidepressants alone but require further rigorous, multiarm intervention trials.Systematic Review Registration: CRD42018108293 (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews).

Introduce a New Intervention Model Based on Islamic Lifestyle for Decreasing the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in People at Risk: A Comparative Study

The main purpose of the present study was designing and assessing the common lifestyle and Islamic lifestyle interventions and comparison of them. Sample of the study was thirty-nine subjects participated in a healthy lifestyle program. The Islamic group were received the Islamic healthy lifestyle program. In comparison with common, in the Islamic group the CVD risk was significantly lower; the psychological well-being was increased significantly; the psychological distress was decreased significantly; and the spiritual well-being was increased significantly. The most powerful element of Islamic lifestyle was to strengthen the spirituality that can positively affect the life.

Psychosocial Risk Factors in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Time to Screen Beyond Anxiety and Depression

Background

Although it is well acknowledged that psychosocial risk factors (PSRF) such as low socio-economic status, stress, social isolation, negative emotions and negative personality patterns may contribute to the development and adverse outcome of cardiovascular disease (CVD), screening for PSRF in CVD patients is usually limited to anxiety and depression, mainly for feasibility reasons. We therefore aimed to develop a user-friendly screening battery for routine assessment of PSRFs and to evaluate this instrument regarding feasibility of application, PSRF results and attendance of psychological counselling if recommended to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients.

Methods

This is a prospective single center cohort study including 609 consecutive CR patients. We first developed a screening instrument based on seven validated scales for the most relevant PSRFs with totally 90 questions presented in a uniform graphical design to facilitate completion called Psychocardiogram® (PCG) and applied the instrument in consecutive patients attending CR. Patients with positive screening results were invited to a psychological counseling session.

Results

Six hundred and nine consecutive patients, aged 34 to 86 years (mean 60.7 years), 85% men, entering the CR program at the Bern University Hospital with ischemic heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease, were included in this study. Eighty-three point three percent of the patients completed the PCG within 40 minutes. Vital exhaustion and Type-D personality were the most prevalent PSRFs (56.9% and 51.1%, respectively), whereas low social support (14.4%) and elevated depressive symptoms (15.9%), were the least prevalent ones. After screening, 120 patients (52.86%) with at least one PSRF made use of psychological counseling.

Conclusions

We found the PCG to be a useful screening tool for PSRF in CR patients with the potential to get new insights into the prevalence of particular PSRF in specific populations and to better study their impact on occurrence and outcome of CVD.

Psycho-Social Factors in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease Attending a Family-Centred Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme: EUROACTION Model in Spain

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) persists as the leading cause of death worldwide. Cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation (CVPR) has an interdisciplinary focus, and includes not only in physiological components, but it also addresses psycho-social factors.

METHODS

The study analysed the Spanish psycho-social data collected during the EUROACTION study. In Spain, two hospitals were randomised in the Valencia community. Coronary patients were prospectively and consecutively identified in both hospitals. The intervention hospital carried out a 16-week CVPR programme, which aimed to assess illness perceptions and establish healthy behaviours in patients and their partners.

RESULTS

Illness perceptions were significantly and inversely associated with anxiety and depression. Low levels of anxiety were associated with better self-management of total cholesterol (p = 0.004) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.004). There was concordance at one year among patients and partners who participated in the programme related to anxiety (p < 0.001), fruit consumption (p < 0.001), and vegetable consumption (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The EUROACTION study emphasised the importance of assessing psycho-social factors in a CVPR programme and the inclusion of family as support in patients' changes in behaviour.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Component Attendance and Impact of Intervening Clinical Events, as Well as Disease Severity and Risk Factor Burden

PURPOSE

To examine: (1) the rate of clinical events precluding cardiac rehabilitation (CR) continuation, (2) CR attendance by component in those without events, and (3) the association between disease severity (eg, tobacco use, diabetes, and depression) and component attendance (eg, exercise, diet, stress management, and tobacco cessation).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of electronic records of the CR program in London, Ontario, from 1999 to 2017. Patients in the supervised program are offered exercise sessions 2 times/wk with a minimum of 48 prescribed sessions tailored to patient need. Patients attending ≥1 session without major factors that would limit their exercise ability were included. Intervening events were recorded, as was component attendance.

RESULTS

Of 5508 enrolled, supervised patients, 3696 did not have a condition that could preclude exercise. Of those enrolled, one-sixth (n = 912) had an intervening event; these patients were less likely to work, more likely to have medical risk factors, had more severe angina and depression, and lower functional capacity. The remaining cohort attended a mean of 26.5 ± 21.3 sessions overall (median = 27; 19% attending ≥48 sessions), including 20.5 ± 17.4 exercise sessions (median = 21). After exercise, the most common components attended were individual dietary and psychological counseling. Patients with more severe angina and depressive symptoms as well as tobacco users attended significantly fewer total sessions, but more of some specific components.

CONCLUSIONS

In one-sixth of patients, CR attendance and completion are impacted by clinical factors beyond their control. Many patients are taking advantage of components specific to their risk factors, buttressing the value of individually tailored, menu-based programming.

Relevant problems of participation and education of patients in cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention programs

The review discusses the participation of patients with coronary artery disease after acute myocardial infarction and revascularization surgeries in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and secondary prevention programs. The problems of patients not being included in rehabilitation programs and the reasons for low adherence to these programs are considered. The contribution of non-drug therapy to achievement of CR and secondary prevention goals is discussed. Various strategies are proposed for involving and increasing adherence of patients to CR programs.

Broken Heartstrings—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Psychological Burden after Acute Mitral Regurgitation Due to Chordae Tendineae Rupture

Chordae tendineae rupture (CTR) is a potentially life-threatening cardiac event often resulting in Acute mitral regurgitation (AMR). We assessed Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in n=21 CTR patients with AMR (age 82.3 ± 4.2 years; 66.7% men) and compared them to n=23 CTR patients with Chronic mitral regurgitation (CMR) and n=35 Myocardial infraction (MI) patients. Regression analyses revealed that PTSD scores were significantly higher in CTR patients with AMR than in CTR patients with CMR or MI patients. CTR patients with CMR had the lowest levels of PTSD-symptoms. Depression and anxiety scores were elevated across all three groups. Our results suggest that psychosocial factors need to be considered in CTR patients’ care.

Depression Is Associated With Reduced Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Completion Rates: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

PURPOSE

Depression is associated with recurrent cardiac events and death in patients with coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Furthermore, depression may be associated with reduced completion of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR), an empirically supported treatment for patients with coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure that reduces recurrent coronary events and cardiac mortality. The goal of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to explore the association between depression and outpatient CR completion.

METHOD

A systematic literature review cross-referenced 3 electronic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and Dissertation Abstracts International) from inception through February 15, 2015. Studies quantifying an association between depression and outpatient CR completion were identified for review. A random-effects model was used to pool quantitative data, moderators were tested, and publication bias was analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies with 19 independent samples consisting of 30 586 cardiac patients were included in the meta-analysis. A moderate inverse relationship between depression and outpatient CR completion was observed (g = -0.44; 95% CI, -0.59 to -0.29), indicating that depressed CR patients were significantly less likely to complete their prescribed CR programs. No significant moderator variables were identified. A minor amount of publication bias was detected.

CONCLUSION

Depression is associated with reduced outpatient CR completion rates. Future research should focus on attendance interventions for depressed CR patients, as completion of outpatient CR reduces cardiac and all-cause mortality.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Is Associated With Improved Physical Function in Frail Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE

Frailty is highly prevalent among older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with greater than 2-fold risk for morbidity and mortality, independent of age and comorbidities. Many candidates are not referred to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) under the assumption that they are too frail to benefit. We hypothesized that CR is associated with similar benefits for frail adults as for intermediate-frail and nonfrail adults.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of CVD patients who completed a phase II CR program. Patients classified as frail by meeting ≥2 frailty criteria and intermediate-frail by meeting 1 criterion, including 6-min walk distance (6MWD) <300 m, gait speed ≤0.65 m/sec or 0.76 m/sec normalized to height and sex, tandem stand <10 sec, Timed Up & Go (TUG) <15 sec, and weak hand grip strength per Fried criteria. Changes within and between groups were compared before and after completion of CR.

RESULTS

We evaluated 243 patients; 75 were classified as frail, 70 as intermediate-frail, and 98 as nonfrail. Each group improved in all measures of frailty except for tandem stand. There were no significant differences in pre- to post-CR measures for 6MWD, gait speed, tandem stand, or hand grip strength between groups. Frail patients showed greater improvement in TUG than the other groups (P = .007).

CONCLUSION

Among frail patients, CR was associated with improvements in multiple domains of physical function. Gains achieved by frail adults were similar to or greater than those achieved by intermediate-frail and nonfrail patients. These data provide strong rationale for referring all eligible patients to CR, including frail patients. Those who are most physically impaired may derive gains that have proportionally greater ramifications.

Does Happiness Improve Health? Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Happier people are healthier, but does becoming happier lead to better health? In the current study, we deployed a comprehensive, 3-month positive psychological intervention as an experimental tool to examine the effects of increasing subjective well-being on physical health in a nonclinical population. In a 6-month randomized controlled trial with 155 community adults, we found effects of treatment on self-reported physical health—the number of days in the previous month that participants felt healthy or sick, as assessed by questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Questionnaire. In a subsample of 100 participants, we also found evidence that improvements in subjective well-being over the course of the program predicted subsequent decreases in the number of sick days. Combining experimental and longitudinal methodologies, this work provides some evidence for a causal effect of subjective well-being on self-reported physical health.

The effects of usual Care in Psychosocial Intervention Trials of patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Many intervention studies of coronary artery disease (CAD) have found health benefits for patients in the "treatment as usual" (TAU) group like in the specific psychotherapy group. In this pilot study, we wanted to examine and discuss the role and reasons for TAU effects.

METHODS

By means of a systematic review, we examined the control conditions from psychotherapeutic RCTs with CAD patients related to depressive symptoms, mortality and recurrence rate of events. The review question was limited to factors influencing the TAU effectiveness in such psychotherapeutic outcome studies.

RESULTS

We found a decrease in depressive symptoms in TAU patients (mean ES: 0.65) and very differing mortality and recurrence rates of events. The effects were dependant on the year the study was published (1986-2016), the follow-up time of the study (0.25-7.8 years) and the treatment arms. A small dose of additional counselling, medical attention, and teaching of therapeutic techniques with clinical competence may reinforce the therapeutic alliance. These factors would be possible moderators of control group efficacy related to the reduction in depressive symptoms and a decrease in mortality and events.

CONCLUSION

In the reviewed studies, we found that the control condition was beneficial for CAD patients, but this benefit was highly variable. Specified psychotherapeutic interventions showed an additional independent effect of treatment on depression and effects on morbidity and mortality. There is a need to identify patients at risk of remaining depressed or under severe stress during usual care. These patients may require additional psychosocial intervention.

Preventable clinical and psychosocial factors predicted two out of three recurrent cardiovascular events in a coronary population

BACKGROUND

The relative importance of lifestyle, medical and psychosocial factors on the risk of recurrent major cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE) in coronary patients' needs to be identified. The main objective of this study is to estimate the association between potentially preventable factors on MACE in an outpatient coronary population from routine clinical practice.

METHODS

This prospective follow-up study of recurrent MACE, determine the predictive impact of risk factors and a wide range of relevant co-factors recorded at baseline. The baseline study included 1127 consecutive patients 2-36 months after myocardial infarction (MI) and/or revascularization procedure. The primary composite endpoint of recurrent MACE defined as CV death, hospitalization due to MI, revascularization, stroke/transitory ischemic attacks or heart failure was obtained from hospital records. Data were analysed using cox proportional hazard regression, stratified by prior coronary events before the index event.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 4.2 years from study inclusion (mean time from index event to end of study 5.7 years), 364 MACE occurred in 240 patients (21, 95% confidence interval: 19 to 24%), of which 39 were CV deaths. In multi-adjusted analyses, the strongest predictor of MACE was not taking statins (Relative risk [RR] 2.13), succeeded by physical inactivity (RR 1.73), peripheral artery disease (RR 1.73), chronic kidney failure (RR 1.52), former smoking (RR 1.46) and higher Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression subscale score (RR 1.04 per unit increase). Preventable and potentially modifiable factors addressed accounted for 66% (95% confidence interval: 49 to 77%) of the risk for recurrent events. The major contributions were smoking, low physical activity, not taking statins, not participating in cardiac rehabilitation and diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Coronary patients were at high risk of recurrent MACE. Potentially preventable clinical and psychosocial factors predicted two out of three MACE, which is why these factors should be targeted in coronary populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02309255. Registered at December 5th, 2014, registered retrospectively.

[Psychosocial factors and coronary heart disease]

Article is devoted to a research of interrelation of psychosocial factors and courses of coronary heart disease (CHD). The anxiety, a depression, social isolation of patients with CHD is considered. Need of identification of psychosocial factors at patients with CHD for the purpose of their correction and improvement of the forecast of sick CHD and quality of their life is shown.

To what extent is multi-morbidity associated with new onset depression in patients attending cardiac rehabilitation?

Background

Depression is associated with increased mortality and poor prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about the patient characteristics associated with new onset post heart event depressive symptoms, specifically medical comorbidities, among cardiac rehabilitation (CR) participants. Therefore, this paper examines the comorbidity profile and characteristics associated with new onset depressive symptoms in patients attending CR.

Methods

An observational study using the routine practice data of British Heart Foundation National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR) from the last six years between April 2012 and March 2018. Patients with new onset post heart event depression and no previous documented history of depression were selected as the study population. An independent samples t-test and chi square tests were used to compare the association between new onset depressive symptoms and patient variables including demographics, clinical measures and comorbidities. A binary logistic regression was conducted to investigate the predictors of new onset depressive symptoms employing log-likelihood ratio statistic.

Results

The analyses included 109,055 CR patients with new onset depression measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). At baseline assessment, comorbidity measures associated with new onset depressive symptoms were increased total number of comorbidities and a range of comorbidities - including diabetes, angina, arthritis, chronic back problems, asthma, stroke, anxiety, rheumatism, claudication, osteoporosis, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. After multivariate adjustments were done, at the start of CR, the significant predictors of new onset depressive symptoms were physical inactivity, high HADS anxiety score measurement, increased weight, total number of comorbidities, diabetes, stroke, chronic back problems, being from areas with higher levels of social deprivation, being single, and male.

Conclusion

The research findings establish new insights into the association between patient demographic and clinical variables across a range of comorbidities in patients with new onset post heart event depressive symptoms. At the start of CR, patients with new onset depressive symptoms need to be assessed skilfully as they tend to have a complex multi-morbid presentation linked to psychosocial risk factors known to hinder CR engagement.

Selected psychological comorbidities in coronary heart disease: Challenges and grand opportunities

Evidence of popular interest in the interrelationships between mind, body, and heart disease dates to Ancient Grecian times and paved the way for modern-day scientific inquiry into the relationships between psychological comorbidities in coronary heart disease. Although the systematic evidence has suggested an association of poor medical prognosis and lower quality of life among patients with coronary heart disease with comorbid psychological conditions, the mechanisms are less well understood. In this selective review article, the epidemiology, mechanisms, screening, and treatment recommendations for 4 common psychological conditions (depression, anxiety, stress, and insomnia) comorbid with coronary heart disease are presented. We focus on the grand challenges and unprecedented opportunities for research in this area considering the methodological and technological innovations of the 21st century. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Sex differences in psychosocial and cardiometabolic health among patients completing cardiac rehabilitation

Current programs of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) typically provide a standardized approach to all patients. We examined whether CR would produce similar improvements in psychosocial and cardiometabolic health indicators in women compared with men. The records of patients who completed a 3-month outpatient CR program were examined. We compared health-related quality of life (i.e., Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores), anxiety, depression, and cardiometabolic health indicators between women and men completing CR. Of the 591 participants who completed CR, 155 (26.2%) were women and 436 (73.8%) were men. At baseline, women were older (64 ± 9 vs. 62 ± 9 years, p = 0.045), had lower PCS (39.5 ± 8.1 vs. 43.9 ± 7.8 points, p < 0.001), and MCS (46.6 ± 10.8 vs. 49.4 ± 9.8 points, p = 0.003) scores, experienced elevated levels of anxiety (6.4 ± 4.0 vs. 5.2 ± 4.0 points, p = 0.001) and depression (4.7 ± 3.5 vs. 3.6 ± 3.3 points, p = 0.001), and had higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.1 ± 0.9 vs. 1.7 ± 0.7 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.4 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 mmol/L, p < 0.001) concentrations when compared with men. Following CR, women showed smaller improvements in percent body mass (+1.1% ± 10.1% vs. −2.1% ± 9.7%, p = 0.002) and PCS scores (3.0 ± 8.1 vs. 6.3 ± 7.5 points, p < 0.001) when compared with men. Considering poorer psychosocial health at baseline and smaller improvements in health-related quality of life in women when compared with men, more specific CR strategies addressing the particular needs of women are required to improve their health status and reduce the risk of secondary cardiac events.