Post-myocardial transitional care in Poland - single centre experience with novel Coordinated Comprehensive Care programme – clinical and laboratory follow-up

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an inherent part of the transitional care after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Polish health care system has created a novel Coordinated Comprehensive Care Program after AMI, which ensures outpatient follow-ups, further invasive treatment and free-of-charge CR for all patients after acute MI.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of CR on clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients who completed the recommended programme.

Methods

118 participants were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, depending on the criterium of completion (rehabilitation group) or non-completion (no rehabilitation group) of the CR. The clinical and laboratory data at discharge and after 12 months were collected and analyzed in both groups.

Results

The majority of the patients (n=83, 70,3%) underwent CR. This group was younger in comparison to patients who did not participate in CR (63.0±8.6 vs. 69.8±8.7 years; p<0.01). Index hospitalization was significantly shorter in rehabilitation group (7 vs. 8 days, respectively; p<0,04). LDL-C reduction was observed in both groups, but only rehabilitation group presented statistically significant reduction (median LDL at discharge 108,5 vs. 67,0 mg/dl at follow-up; p<0.01). No rehabilitation group had LDL-C non-significantly decreased (p=0.16). NT-proBNP decreased in both groups over 12 months, but only rehabilitation group had significant reduction (median 590,0 pg/ml at discharge vs. 199,0 at follow-up; p<0.01). Laboratory follow-up is summarized in Figure 1. BMI increased in both groups, with statistical importance in rehabilitation group (p<0,01).

Conclusions

Post-myocardial rehabilitation is more frequently prescribed to younger patients with shorter index hospitalisation. Clinical and laboratory parameters improve more in the group that underwent CR programme and this might warant more effort on increasing CR accessibility and patient enrollement. The phenomenon of weight gain in patients after acute myocardial infarction independently from undergoing rehabilitation program or not needs further research.

Figure 1. 12-month laboratory follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Short-term immediate post-shock pacing in adult advanced life support – a feasibility study of modified ALS algorithm

Introduction

It is well known that the majority of patients remains transiently pulseless after successfull defibrillation shock during routine advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS). The post-shock asystole is longer than 120 seconds in as many as 25% of patients. Not only asystole, but also profound postshock bradycardia and high degree AV blocks are described as common.

The need for post-shock pacing (PSP) in adult ACLS is unknown, but there is extensive use of that feature in implantable cardioverters – defibrillators (ICD). PSP feature is widely used in these devices. The wide utilisation of PSP in ICD patients warrants the research towards any possible benefit of it during ACLS measures.

Material and methods

We performed high-fidelity simulation study including 60 paramedic at 20 scenarios. The participants were asked to perform routine resuscitation scenarios according to the AHA ACLS algorithm.

In the control group paramedics had to resume compressions after each shock. In experimental group simultaneously with the compressions, transcutaneous pacing with 200 mA output and rate of 80 ppm was delivered. Several parameters were monitored: chest compression fraction, compressions depth and rate, percent of recoiled compression, compressions on correct depth, and other.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between both groups in respect of compressions depth and rate, time needed to achieve advanced airway, initiate and achieve intravenous line, administer medications (Table 1). The detailed results are presented in Table 1.

Discussion

According to the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study describing the feasibility of PSP in resuscitation. The quality of resuscitation depends on adherence to the protocol. Any additional element in the protocol can negatively affect the outcome. In the presented study we present that major ACLS steps are delivered without significant delay when PSP is utilised.

Conclusions

The implementation of PSP had no negative impact on adherence to ACLS protocol. The authors see the need for further intensive research in this area.

Figure 1. Design of the study.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P2518Failure of completion of post-myocardial infarction rehabilitation programme - Who and why? Single center experience with novel Coordinated Comprehensive Care program in Poland

Background

Rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction is a well-proven strategy to improve outcomes and reduce complications rate. Poland recently introduced a novel, fully-reimbursed Coordinated Comprehensive Care (CCC) program after myocardial infarction, a significant portion of which comprises access to free-of-charge cardiac rehabilitation.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to analyze all patients qualified for the Coordinated Comprehensive Care Program and evaluate reasons for not completing rehabilitation. We compared two groups of patients - those who completed the rehabilitation and those that did not - in terms of clinical, demographic and laboratory characteristics.

Methods

All patients (n=169) referred from the cardiology department for the CCC program were included in the study. They were divided into two groups, depending on single, strict criterium of completion or non-completion of the rehabilitation program. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed.

Results

The majority of the patients (n=100, 59.2%) did not undergo cardiac rehabilitation. 61 of them were not qualified for rehabilitation programme by the consortium of doctors: 33 of them due to the need for further invasive treatment, the remainder 28 were disqualified due to severe comorbidities. 32 patients did not commence the program despite referral and encouragement, mostly (n=25) due to personal reasons, 7 patients did not specify reasons for not participating in the rehabilitation. 7 patients were lost to follow-up.

Patients who completed rehabilitation (n=69, 40.8%) were younger that those who did not (64.4±9.8 vs. 67.1±9.5 years, respectively; p=0.076), had significantly higher baseline LVEF (49.1±9.4 vs. 44.7±11.9%, p<0.03), and had lower serum creatinine level (0.99±0.28 vs. 1.15±0.59 mg/dl; p<0.03). There were more patients with LVEF<35% (n=23; 23%) in the no-rehabilitation, than in the other group (n=5; 7.25%; p<0.01).

Rehabilitation completed (n=69) Rehabilitation NOT completed (n=100) p Gender – male 40 (35.4%) 73 (64.6%) <0.05 LVEF- % 49.12 (±9.43) 44.69 (±11.97) <0.03 No. of patients with EF <35% 5 (7.25%) 23 (23%) <0.01

Conclusion

Although fully-reimbursed cardiac rehabilitation is provided for all patients following acute myocardial infarction, there is a significant number of patients who fail to complete the programme. This group comprises more male patients with worse clinical and laboratory test results, especially LVEF and renal function. Efforts should be made to address the problem and modify the programme accordingly.

"Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Greater Poland" Program: How to Save Lives and Develop Organ Donation?

The "ECMO for Greater Poland" program takes full advantage of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) perfusion therapy opportunities to promote the health of the 3.5 million inhabitants in the region. The main implementation areas are treatment of patients with hypothermia; severe reversible respiratory failure (RRF); critical states resulting in heart failure, that is, cardiac arrest, cardiogenic shock, or acute intoxication; and promotion of the donor after circulatory death (DCD) strategy in selected organ donor cases, after unsuccessful life-saving treatment, to achieve organ recovery. This organizational model is complex and expensive, so we used advanced high-fidelity medical simulation tests to prepare for real-life experience. Over the course of 4 months we performed scenarios including "ECMO for DCD," "ECMO for extended cardiopulmonary resuscitation," "ECMO for RRF," and "ECMO in hypothermia." Soon after these simulations, Maastricht category II DCD procedures were performed involving real patients and resulting in 2 successful double kidney transplantations for the first time in Poland. One month later we treated 2 hypothermia patients (7 adult patients with heart failure and 5 patients with reversible respiratory failure) with ECMO for the first time in the region. Fortunately, we have discovered an important new role of medical simulation. It can be used not only for skills testing but also as a tool to create non-existing procedures and unavailable algorithms. The result of these program activities will promote the care and treatment of patients in critical condition with ECMO therapy as well as increase the potential organ pool from DCDs in the Greater Poland region of Poland.