Incremental Improvement in Submaximal Effort Capacity During the Third Month of Cardiac Rehabilitation

[The coronary patient six months after cardiac rehabilitation: rehabilitation evaluation research (RER study)]

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The aims of the study are to elaborate and test, in a coronary population admitted in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) department, an evaluative method 6 months after a cardiac rehabilitation programme, with emphasis on modified cardiac risk factors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Every coronary patient admitted in the CR department in Machecoul between 2007 October and 2009 October, who's home were not over 50 km far away and without mental inability, were included. At the start of the programme, he was suggested to complete the training course by a phone interview at 3 months and a multidisciplinary consult at 6 months. It used dietary and physical activity questionnaires, and a 6-minute walk test (6mnWT).

RESULTS

Two hundred and two patients were included (mean age 63,4 ± 10 years, 93% men), 17% after an acute coronary syndrome, 23% after angioplasty and 75% after coronary artery bypass graft. The cardioprotective dietary score increased from 7.8 ± 4.3 to 12.7 ± 3 (on a scale from-17 to+19) and the physical activity score from 15.4 ± 7.7 to 19.5 ± 4.8 (on a scale from 5 to 40). The 6mnWT increased in CR (from 431 ± 90m to 511 ± 91m) and was maintained at 6 months (513 ± 88m). The European recommendation goals were achieved by 76% of patients for LDL (<1g/L), 64% for blood pressure (<140/90), 82% for a BMI less than 30 and 36% a BMI less than 25, 67% central obesity (<102cm by men and 88 cm by women) and 82% for no smoking. Four non-fatal cardiac events and seven vascular events were reported by a mean delay of 190 ± 30 days.

CONCLUSION

A six monthly evaluation of CR programme can be used in a cardiac rehabilitation department routinely activity.