Outcome associated with prescription of cardiac rehabilitation according to predicted risk after acute myocardial infarction: Insights from the FAST-MI registries

Two-year prognosis and cardiovascular disease prevention after acute coronary syndrome; the role of cardiac rehabilitation: a French nationwide study

AIMS

To evaluate the impact of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on optimization of secondary prevention treatments for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), medication persistence, medical follow-up, rehospitalisation, and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

The national health insurance database was used to identify all patients hospitalised for ACS in France in 2019 and those among them who received CR. Patients' characteristics and outcomes were described and compared between CR and non-CR patients. Poisson regression models were used to identify the impact of CR after adjusting for confounders. A Cox model was fitted to identify the variables related to mortality after adjustment for medication persistence and cardiologic follow-up.

RESULTS

In 2019, 22% of 134,846 patients hospitalised for ACS in France received CR within six months of their discharge. After one year, only 60% of patients who did not receive CR were still taking BASI drugs (combination of Beta blockers, Antiplatelets agents, Statins and RAAS Inhibitors). This rate and the medical follow-up rate were higher in patients who received CR. Two years after the ACS event, patients who received CR had better medical follow-up and lower mortality risk, after adjusting for cofounding variables (adjusted HR all-cause mortality = 0.65 [0.61-0.69]). After adjustment for the dispensing of cardiovascular drugs and cardiologic follow-up, the independent effect of CR was not as strong but remained significant (HR = 0.90 [95%CI: 0.84-0.95]).

CONCLUSION

Patients who received CR after hospitalisation for ACS had a better prognosis. Optimization of efficient secondary prevention strategies, improved medication persistence, and enhanced cardiologic follow-up seemed to play a major role.

Temporal trends in admission for cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome in France from 2009 to 2021: Persistent sex, age and social disparities

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome is recommended to decrease patient morbidity and mortality and to improve quality of life.

AIMS

To describe time trends in the rates of patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation after an acute coronary syndrome in France from 2009 to 2021, and to identify possible disparities.

METHODS

All patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome in France between January 2009 and June 2021 were identified from the national health insurance database. Cardiac rehabilitation attendance was identified within 6 months of acute coronary syndrome hospital discharge. Age-standardized cardiac rehabilitation rates were computed and stratified for sex and acute coronary syndrome subtypes (ST-segment elevation and non-ST-segment elevation). Patient characteristics and outcomes were described and compared. Factors independently associated with cardiac rehabilitation attendance were identified.

RESULTS

In 2019, among 134,846 patients with an acute coronary syndrome, 22.3% underwent cardiac rehabilitation within 6 months of acute coronary syndrome hospital discharge. The mean age of patients receiving cardiac rehabilitation was 62 years. The median delay between acute coronary syndrome hospitalization and cardiac rehabilitation was 32 days, with about 60% receiving outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Factors significantly associated with higher cardiac rehabilitation rates were male sex, younger age (35-64 years), least socially disadvantaged group, ST-segment elevation, percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft. Between 2009 and 2019, cardiac rehabilitation rates increased by 40% from 15.9% to 22.3%. Despite greater upward trends in women, their cardiac rehabilitation rate was significantly lower than that for men (14.8% vs. 25.8%). In 2020, cardiac rehabilitation attendance dropped because of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the health benefits of cardiac rehabilitation, current cardiac rehabilitation attendance after acute coronary syndrome remains insufficient in France, particularly among the elderly, women and socially disadvantaged people.

Evaluation of a Hybrid Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program in Acute Coronary Syndrome Low-Risk Patients Organised in Both Cardiac Rehabilitation and Sport Centres: A Model Feasibility Study

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficiency, the feasibility, and the safety of a hybrid cardiovascular rehabilitation program in low-risk acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. Sixty low-risk patients with stable clinical status who experienced an ACS in the previous 3 months were included in a 3-week rehabilitation program. The patients were randomized either to a group performing the rehabilitation totally in a rehabilitation centre or partially (only the first 5 days) and then in sport centres equipped for supervised adapted physical activities. The sport centres were located in the vicinity of the patient’s home. Both rehabilitation programs entailed endurance and resistance training and educational therapy. Before and after rehabilitation, cardiorespiratory functions were measured. Similar and significant improvements in peak V.O2 and power output were seen in patients after both types of rehabilitation (p < 0.05). No particular complications were associated with both of our programs. We conclude that a hybrid rehabilitation program in low-risk ACS patients is feasible, safe, and as beneficial as a traditional program organised in a rehabilitation centre, at least in a short-term. A longitudinal follow-up should nevertheless be organised to examine the long-term impacts of this hybrid rehabilitation program.

Management and outcomes over time of acute coronary syndrome patients at particularly high cardiovascular risk : the ACSIS registry-based retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Some patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are at particularly increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events. We aimed to examine temporal trends in the management and outcomes across the spectrum of these particularly high-risk patients.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A retrospective study based on the ACS Israeli survey (ACSIS) registry, a multicentre prospective national registry, taking place biennially in 25 cardiology departments in Israel. Temporal trends were examined in the early (2002-2008) and late (2010-2018) time periods.

PARTICIPANTS

Consecutive patients with ACS enrolled in the ACSIS registry were stratified according to the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Score for secondary prevention (TRS2^°P) to high (TRS2^°p=3), very high (TRS2^°p=4) or extremely high risk (TRS2^°p=5-9). Patients with TRS2^°p<3 were excluded. From the initial 15 196 patients enrolled, 5359 patients were eventually included.Clinical outcome measures included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and 1-year mortality.

RESULTS

Among 5359 patients (50% high risk, 30% very high risk and 20% extremely high risk), those with a higher risk were older, had more comorbidities, presented more with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, and were treated less often with guideline-recommended pharmacotherapy and percutaneous coronary intervention. Over time, treatment has improved in all risk strata, and the rate of 30-day MACE has significantly decreased in all risk groups (from 21% to 10%, from 22% to 15%, and from 26% to 16%, in high, very high and extremely high-risk groups, respectively, p<0.001 for each). However, 1-year mortality decreased only among high and very high-risk patients, and not among extremely high-risk patients in whom 1-year mortality rates remained very high (28.7% vs 28.9%, p=1).

CONCLUSION

Within a particularly high-risk cohort of patients with ACS, treatment has significantly progressed over almost 2 decades. While short-term outcomes have improved in all risk groups, 1-year mortality has remained unchanged in extremely high-risk patients with ACS.

One-year care pathway after acute myocardial infarction in 2018: Prescription, medical care and medication adherence, using a French health insurance reimbursement database

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Guidelines have been published to optimize medical care and involve optimization of the care pathway and hospital-city coordination.

AIMS

To describe the myocardial infarction care pathway during the year following hospital discharge, and the use of and adherence to secondary prevention drugs.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted using data from the main French health insurance reimbursement database of the ex-Aquitaine region. Information about the medical and pharmaceutical care of hospitalized patients in 2018 was collected for 12 months. Medication adherence was assessed by using the proportion of days covered by the treatment and persistence.

RESULTS

A total of 3015 patients were included, and the mean age was 66 years. Almost 76% of the patients had a reimbursement for BAS (combined prescription of beta-blocker/antiplatelet/lipid-lowering drug), BASI (combined prescription of beta-blocker/antiplatelet/lipid-lowering drug/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) or AS (combined prescription of antiplatelet/lipid-lowering drug) treatment. Medication adherence was around 83% for aspirin and 75% for lipid-lowering drugs for the 1-year persistence. During the same time, the proportion of days covered was suboptimal. Almost 4% of patients died after leaving hospital, 45% went to a cardiac rehabilitation centre and 23% had at least one hospital readmission, whatever the reason. Patients had a mean number of 11 general practitioner consultations during the year. Almost 41% of patients did not have a consultation with a cardiologist, and 38.4% had at least two consultations. Rehabilitation and general practitioner consultations were associated with adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

These new results provide clear information on the medical care environment of patients, and help us to improve care transition. Close collaboration between healthcare practitioners is very important in the early stages of outpatient follow-up.

MEdical TReatment Optimization in cardiac rehabilitation (METRO study) : a French multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is the right place to optimize the medical treatment in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

AIMS

To report the medical management in CAD patients during CR and evaluate the consequences.

METHODS

CAD patients who attended a CR program within less than three months of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were included in a prospective multicenter study. Medical treatments were analyzed at the beginning and at discharge of the CR stay. Results of exercise tests were compared between 4 groups. G1: unchanged medication, n=443, G2: beta-blockers or bradycardic agents adaptation n=199, G3: renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors adaptation, n=194, G4: both medications adaptation, n=164.

RESULTS

One thousand consecutive patients were included in 23 French CR centers (85.3% males; mean age 59.9 ± 11 years). The index event was ACS (68.5%), PCI (62.6%) and CABG (36.3%). During CR, we noted an adaptation for beta-blockers in 32.1%, in other bradycardic agents (ivabradine, verapamil, diltiazem, amiodarone) in 9.5%, and in RAS inhibitors in 36.3%. Patients of group 1 had an initial resting heart rate lower than in group 2 and 4, but at the final exercise testing, the range of the decrease was more important in group 2 and 4. The combination of physical training and therapeutic modifications resulted in similar exercise capacities in the four groups, from 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.2 MET (p=0.68), to 6.3, 6.5, 6.5 and 6.1 MET (p=0.44), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The METRO study showed that significant alteration in medical treatment during cardiac rehabilitation programs could take part in improving physical capacity.

Management and outcome across the spectrum of high-risk patients with myocardial infarction according to the thrmobolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk-score for secondary prevention

Background

Patients with myocardial infarction (MI) are at increased risk for recurrent cardiovascular events, yet some patients, such as the elderly and those with prior comorbidities, are particularly at the highest risk. Whether these patients benefit from contemporary management is not fully elucidated.

Methods

Included were consecutive patients with MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a large tertiary medical center. Patients were stratified according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk score for secondary prevention (TRS2°P) to high (TRS2°P = 3), very high (TRS2°P = 4), or extremely high‐risk (TRS2°P = 5–9). Excluded were low and intermediate‐risk patients (TRS2°P < 3). Outcomes included 30‐day/1‐year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and 1‐year mortality. Temporal trends were examined in the early (2004–2010) and late (2011–2016) time‐periods.

Results

Among 2053 patients, 50% were high‐risk, 30% very high‐risk and 20% extremely high‐risk. Extremely high‐risk patients were older (age 74 ± 10 year) and had significant comorbidities (chronic kidney disease 68%, prior CABG 40%, heart failure 78%, peripheral artery disease 29%). Drug‐eluting stents and potent antiplatelets were more commonly used over time in all risk‐strata. Over time, 30‐day MACE rates have decreased, mainly attributed to the very high (11.3% to 5.1%, p = .006) and extremely high‐risk groups (15.9% to 8.0%, p = .016), but not the high‐risk group, with similar quantitative results for 1‐year MACE. The rates of 1‐year mortality remained unchanged in either group.

Conclusion

Within a particularly high‐risk cohort of MI patients who underwent PCI, the implementation of guideline‐recommended therapies has improved over time, with the highest‐risk groups demonstrating the greatest benefit in outcomes.

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

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