Impact of an Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Clinical and Analytical Variables in Cardiovascular Disease

Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk: Systematic Intervention Is the Key for Prevention

Obesity is a serious public health issue and associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events and mortality. The risk of cardiovascular complications is directly related to excess body fat mass and ectopic fat deposition, but also other obesity-related complications such as pre-type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea, and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Body mass index and waist circumference are used to classify a patient as overweight or obese and to stratify cardiovascular risk. Physical activity and diet, despite being key points in preventing adverse events and reducing cardiovascular risk, are not always successful strategies. Pharmacological treatments for weight reduction are promising strategies, but are restricted by possible safety issues and cost. Nonetheless, these treatments are associated with improvements in cardiovascular risk factors, and studies are ongoing to better evaluate cardiovascular outcomes. Bariatric surgery is effective in reducing the incidence of death and cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Cardiac rehabilitation programs in obese patients improve cardiovascular disease risk factors, quality of life, and exercise capacity. The aim of this review was to critically analyze the current role and future aspects of lifestyle changes, medical and surgical treatments, and cardiac rehabilitation in obese patients, to reduce cardiovascular disease risk and mortality, and to highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs Post Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Functional Capacity and Metabolic Profile Through Different Age Groups

INTRODUCTION

Modern cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a thorough approach including multiple arms that aim at improving quality of life and functional capacity.

AIM

To study the impact of age on the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation program post-successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

This retrospective study includes 250 patients post primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who underwent a complete 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Functional capacity, metabolic profile, and parameters of diastolic function were assessed and compared at baseline and after completing the program. Four age strata were compared in terms of improvement of the various parameters studied.

RESULTS

In the whole patient group, the workload achieved in metabolic equivalents (METS) and maximum exercise time significantly increased. Regarding metabolic profile, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and Triglycerides significantly decreased. While high-density lipoproteins (HDL) increased but didn't reach significance. Echo data reflecting diastolic dysfunction also improved significantly. We found that the magnitude of improvement in all the earlier-mentioned parameters showed no statistically significant difference among the four age groups studied.

CONCLUSION

Cardiac rehabilitation program post primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) significantly improves functional capacity, metabolic profile, and diastolic function. It is never too old or too young to join the CR program. Different age groups benefit equally from rehabilitation.

Effectiveness and reporting of nutrition interventions in cardiac rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review

AIMS

Dietary modification is essential for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, there are limited published evidence syntheses to guide practice in the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) setting. This systematic review's objective was to assess effectiveness and reporting of nutrition interventions to optimize dietary intake in adults attending CR.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of nutrition interventions within CR were eligible for inclusion and had to have measured change in dietary intake. MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and The Cochrane Library were searched from 2000 to June 2020, limited to publications in English. Evidence from included RCTs was synthesized descriptively. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. This review is registered on PROSPERO; CRD42020188723. Of 13 048 unique articles identified, 11 were eligible. Randomized controlled trials were conducted in 10 different countries, included 1542 participants, and evaluated 29 distinct dietary intake outcomes. Five studies reported statistically significant changes in diet across 13 outcomes. Most nutrition interventions were not reported in a manner that allowed replication in clinical practice or future research.

CONCLUSION

There is a gap in research testing high-quality nutrition interventions in CR settings. Findings should be interpreted in the light of limitations, given the overall body of evidence was heterogenous across outcomes and study quality; 6 of 11 studies were conducted more than 10 years old. Future research should investigate strategies to optimize and maintain nutrition improvements for patients attending CR.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO; CRD42020188723.

Comparison of Lean Mass in Women With and Without Heart Disease

PURPOSE

This proof-of-concept study compared lean mass (LM) between women with heart disease (HD) and without HD.

METHODS

Fifty-six community-dwelling women were pair-matched by age. Heart disease was defined using criteria from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Body composition was measured using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Relative LM was calculated against height (kg/m2) as the lean mass index (LMI). Sarcopenia was defined as an LMI <15.0 kg/m2. Strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer, arm curl test, and chair stand test.

RESULTS

Those with HD had significantly less absolute (38.2 ± 0.8 vs 43.5 ± 1.0 kg; P < .001) and relative (15.3 ± 0.3 vs 16.2 ± 0.3 kg/m2, P = .015) LM compared with those without HD. Body mass was significantly greater for those without HD (76.1 ± 2.1 vs 68.4 ± 2.1 kg; P = .013) and there were no differences in fat mass. Upper body strength was significantly less and lower body strength was diminished but not significantly different in those with HD compared to those without HD (handgrip: P = .016; arm curl: P < .001; chair stand: P = .066).

CONCLUSIONS

In this group of community-dwelling women, those who reported a diagnosis of HD had significantly less LM than those without HD. Although neither group was classified as sarcopenic, women with HD were at greater risk due to lower relative LM. Based on our findings, during cardiac rehabilitation clinicians should counsel women regarding resistance exercise for maintenance of LM in addition to strength.

Clinical Impact of Weight-Loss Pharmacotherapy in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Obesity is associated with the development and progression of multiple cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is an important contributor to the global burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Guidelines suggest that clinicians provide lifestyle counseling and promote lifestyle modifications before considering weight-loss surgery. However, despite lifestyle modifications and increased physical activity, most patients with obesity will not lose significant weight or will experience weight regain. Weight-loss pharmacotherapy added to lifestyle modification has long been perceived as a bridge between lifestyle modifications alone and weight-loss surgery. However, since its inception, weight-loss pharmacotherapy has been plagued by variable efficacy and concern about cardiovascular safety. Following requirements from regulatory authorities, efficacy and cardiovascular safety trials have been conducted for the currently available weight-loss pharmacotherapeutic agents. Overall, these trials have shown that weight-loss pharmacotherapy is only modestly efficient for the inducement of weight loss. Recent trials have also demonstrated the cardiovascular safety of some of these agents. We review these trials with a focus on the clinical impact of these weight-loss pharmacotherapeutic agents in patients with atherosclerotic CVD.

Obese patients' characteristics and weight loss outcomes in cardiac rehabilitation: An observational study of registry data

AIM

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) guidelines advocate weight loss for obese patients but mean weight loss is small. We sought to determine the extent to which obese patients' characteristics prior to CR predict weight loss.

METHODS

An observational, pre- and post CR study of routine practice using the UK National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation dataset was undertaken. Backward, stepwise, multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify characteristics prior to CR that predicted weight change in obese patients.

RESULTS

In 29,601 obese patients undertaking CR, mean weight loss was 0.9 kg (SD 4.3; p < 0.001) in men (74% of sample) and 0.5 kg (SD 3.9; p < 0.001) in women. Smoking cessation since the cardiac event independently predicted less weight loss by 1.2 kg (95% CI; 0.9, 1.5 kg; p < 0.001). Diabetes, cardiac surgery, living in a deprived area, being female, low fitness levels and pain independently predicted less weight loss during CR. Higher initial weight, greater age and being employed predicted increased weight loss.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to identify how the characteristics of obese patients independently predict different amounts of weight loss during CR in free-living individuals. It is also the largest, registry-based study to investigate predictors of weight loss in obese patients in CR. Knowledge of the extent to which obese patients' characteristics predict more or less weight loss can aid: the generation of guidelines; agreement of realistic goals with patients; and tailoring of weight management support.

Effect of a 6-week and 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program on heart rate recovery

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation has been shown to reduce cardiac mortality, improve quality of life, and reduce hospitalizations. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are usually performed over a 12-week period. Studies have shown that similar benefits could be achieved with shorter programs. Abnormal heart rate recovery after exercise has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. The main aim of this study was to compare the effect of a 6-week phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program on heart rate recovery to a 12-week one in patients who had recovered from an anterior wall ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Results

This prospective study included 60 patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation programs randomized into two equal groups: a 6-week and a 12-week program. Baseline patient demographics, lipid profile, and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were assessed. METs achieved, total exercise time, resting heart rate, peak heart rate, and heart rate recovery at 1 min were examined. These were re-assessed at the end of each program.

Results showed no difference between both groups at the end of each program regarding lipid profile and LVEF. Patients enrolled in the 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program were able to achieve more METs, had a longer exercise time, a higher peak heart rate, and had a lower resting heart rate at the end of the program. Heart rate recovery was slightly higher in patients enrolled in the 6-week program 26.5 ± 6.78 versus 23.17 ± 6.12 bpm (p = 0.051).

On comparing the magnitude of change between both programs, those in the 12-week program had more increase in HDL-C levels, METs achieved, and exercise time. Additionally, they had more reduction of resting heart rate. Heart rate recovery was more increased for those in the 6-week program.

Conclusion

Although heart rate recovery increases after completion of each of a 6-week and 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program compared to their baseline, there is no difference on comparing heart rate recovery between both programs at their end.

Patients enrolled in a standard 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program achieve more METs, have a longer exercise time, a higher peak HR, and a lower resting HR at the end of the program compared to those in the 6-week program.

Obesity in coronary heart disease: An unaddressed behavioral risk factor

Obesity is an independent risk factor for the development and progression of coronary heart disease (CHD). Over 80% of patients with CHD are overweight or obese. While obesity is often considered a relatively "minor" CHD risk factor, weight loss is a broadly effective risk-factor intervention. Weight loss can profoundly influence a number of "major" risk factors including: hypertension, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite its prominence as a risk factor most cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs do not have a specific, targeted intervention to assist patients with weight loss. Consequently, the weight loss that occurs during CR is quite small and unlikely to appreciably alter risk factors. Relying on CR associated exercise as a sole intervention is an ineffective strategy to promote weight loss. There is evidence, however, that behavioral weight loss (BWL) interventions can be effectively employed in the CR setting. In contrast to programs that do not offer a targeted intervention, studies show that participants in CR-related BWL programs lose significantly more weight. The additional weight loss from the BWL intervention is associated with greater improvements in insulin sensitivity and other components of the metabolic syndrome such as hypertension and lipid abnormalities. As a means of maximizing CHD risk factor reduction CR programs need to incorporate BWL programs as a standard programming for overweight/obese patients.

Mediterranean-type diets and inflammatory markers in patients with coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The health benefits of a Mediterranean diet are thought to be mediated via its anti-inflammatory effects; however, the anti-inflammatory effect of this diet is unclear in patients who have already developed coronary heart disease (CHD). This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effect of Mediterranean-type diets on cytokines and adipokines in patients with CHD. An electronic search of the literature was conducted up to October 2016 using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Eleven of the 435 articles identified met eligibility criteria. Four observational studies reported significant inverse associations between Mediterranean-type diet scores and inflammatory cytokines. Five clinical trials (4 in non-Mediterranean countries) demonstrated nonsignificant reductions, and 2 trials conducted in Spain demonstrated significant reductions in C-reactive protein with a Mediterranean-type diet. Random effects meta-analysis of 4 controlled trials detected a nonsignificant difference in final mean value of C-reactive protein with Mediterranean-type diet vs low-fat diet. Despite promising findings from observational studies, this review demonstrated mostly nonsignificant effects of Mediterranean-type diet interventions on inflammatory cytokines and no effect in comparison to low-fat diets in controlled trials conducted primarily in Mediterranean populations. Therefore, randomized controlled trials of a traditional Mediterranean diet in non-Mediterranean populations and with multiple inflammatory biomarkers are needed in the high-risk CHD patient group.