Who Is Likely to Benefit From Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Systematic Review of the Use of the 6-Minute Walk Test in Measuring and Improving Prognosis in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease

Introduction

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) has been used for over 30 years to assess exercise capacity in patients with respiratory disease, and more recently, in those with heart failure. However, despite being a simple and reproducible test of real-world exercise capacity, its use in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) is less well accepted. We sought to review systematically the evidence surrounding the 6MWT in IHD.

Methods

We searched the Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases for the following key terms: "six minute walk test/6 minute walk test/6MWT" and "angina/coronary artery disease/coronary disease/IHD/ischemic heart disease." We followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to select publications for full-text review and analyzed the collated data.

Results

A total of 1228 unique papers were found, of which 71 were chosen for full-text review and 37 for detailed analysis. Most (23) concerned the effect on 6MWT distance (6MWTd) of cardiac rehabilitation, with measurements commenced after an intervention (acute myocardial infarction, n = 4; open heart surgery (OHS), n = 5; percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), n = 3; or other, n = 11). The effect on 6MWTd of OHS was investigated in 6 studies and of PCI in one study. The 6MWT is a useful measurement of physical capacity; data are limited on its ability to assess benefit following PCI.

Conclusions

The 6MWT has been studied inconsistently in IHD. The majority of data are on patients before and after CR. Data are limited concerning the effect on 6MWTd of OHS or PCI. The available data support the 6MWT as a measure of change in performance status following coronary intervention. More work is required to confirm this hypothesis.

Telerrehabilitación en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular durante el periodo de aislamiento preventivo obligatorio por COVID-19 en Colombia

Introducción

La enfermedad cardiovascular es una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad a nivel mundial. Como resultado de la pandemia de COVID-19, muchos programas de rehabilitación han pasado a modelos de entrega remota. La telerrehabilitación es una forma de realizar rehabilitación cardiaca mientras se reduce el riesgo de transmisión del COVID-19.

Objetivo

Describir los efectos de un programa de ejercicio terapéutico en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular que realizan telerrehabilitación, en el periodo de aislamiento preventivo obligatorio por COVID-19.

Materiales y métodos

Estudio cuasiexperimental, de 6 meses, en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular que ingresaron a un programa de ejercicio terapéutico asistido por tecnología virtual en una clínica de Cali (Colombia).

Resultados

De 31 personas, 21 eran hombres. La edad promedio fue de 60,48 ± 11,21 años. Se encontraron diferencias significativas al inicio y al final del estudio en las variables de fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo, frecuencia cardiaca, presión arterial, frecuencia respiratoria, índice de masa corporal, perímetro de abdomen, porcentaje de grasa, porcentaje de masa muscular, colesterol, estado de depresión, distancia recorrida, consumo de oxígeno e índice metabólico (MET), con p < 0,05.

Conclusión

Un programa de ejercicio terapéutico en personas con enfermedad cardiovascular que realizan telerrehabilitación resulta eficaz, al alcanzar las metas de tratamiento.

Clinical Outcomes of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Women with Coronary Artery Disease-Differences in Comparison with Men

This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in women with coronary artery disease (CAD) in comparison to men. Methods: Patients after acute coronary syndrome or after revascularization procedures (106 women, 180 men) were consecutively admitted to a comprehensive outpatient CR program, comprising of 45-min ergometer interval training three times a week for eight weeks. The training intensity was determined on the basis of training heart rate, calculated following an exercise test. Patients were divided into subgroups according to age (≤55, >55 years), BMI (<25, ≥25 kg/m2), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; ≤40%, 41−49%, ≥50%), and number of affected coronary vessels. Results: After eight weeks, exercise capacity increased significantly by 0.6 ± 0.77 MET (women) and by 1.0 ± 0.74 MET (men). The greatest benefit was observed in men, women under 55 years, women with LVEF 41−49%, and women with single-vessel CAD. An outpatient CR program appears less beneficial for women, especially those over 55 years, with two or three coronary vessels affected with atherosclerosis or with LVEF > 50%. In women with CAD, eight weeks of 45-min interval training, with sessions three times a week, is insufficient to improve exercise capacity to an extent that is considered a predictor of mortality risk reduction.

Changes Observed in the 6-minute Walk Test in Response to Exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation

Objectives: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used in exercise based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR) for assessment of functional capacity. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of structured exercise in an EBCR program on 6MWT change and to determine the significance of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), pathology and exercise attendance on influencing this outcome.Methods: Data from a single centre 6-week (twice weekly exercise and education of one-hour duration) exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation program were analysed. Between 2006 and 2019, 2524 patients (males 1923, females 601, mean age 63.5 ± 11.2 years) with cardiovascular disease completed a pre and post 6MWT. Analysis included the effect of age, gender, pathology, BMI and exercise attendance on 6MWT outcome.Results: The group mean improvement in the 6MWT was 21.8% (pre 6MWT 432 ± 83, post 6MWT 527 ± 102 metres). The age-related improvement showed that both males and females achieved a post 6MWT results equivalent to the pre 6MWT result of patients two decades younger with improvement in the 6MWT unrelated to exercise attendance.Conclusions: The 6MWT provides simple safe method for assessment of functional capacity in an out-of-hospital environment being suitable for all ages. The post EBCR 6MWT results showed a group mean improvement in excess of 20% for both sexes. The decline per decade in 6MWT distance is less than 20 metres up to the sixth decade with a more marked decline from the sixth to the eighth decade, the decline being approximately 40-metres for both sexes in the eighth decade.

Desfechos entre diferentes questionários validados para a avaliação do nível de atividade física em cardiopatas adeptos a um programa de reabilitação

Resumo Introdução O Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ) e o inventário de Baecke são comumente utilizados em rotinas de reabilitação cardiovascular. Assim, entende-se que investigações sobre a equiva-lência de desfechos entre essas duas ferramentas possam ser relevantes para mensurar a magnitude da possível reprodutibilidade e correlação entre tais métodos. Objetivo Comparar em cardiopatas o nível de atividade física obtido por meio do IPAQ e do Baecke e correlacionar desfechos obtidos com o teste de cami-nhada de 6 minutos (TC6). Métodos Foram incluídos no estudo 65 cardiopatias inseridos em um programa de reabilitação cardiovascular, sendo 40 do sexo masculino e 25 do sexo feminino, com idade média correspondente a 65,8 ± 10,5 anos. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de um formulário padronizado, contendo os objetos de estudo propostos (IPAQ e Baecke). Além disso, dados referentes a medidas antropométricas (massa corporal, estatura e índice de massa corpórea), relação de cintura quadril, pressão arterial e TC6 foram avaliados. Resultados Os principais desfechos se referem à fraca associação entre os instrumentos avaliados, que demonstraram relação forte somente entre atividade física de tempo livre (r = 1), sendo que nas demais categorias e quando comparadas ao TC6 a concordância verificada não apresentou significância estatística. Conclusão Os questionários se equivalem fortemente somente quando diz respeito à atividade física de tempo livre. Desta forma, não faz sentido a implementação de prática clínica que considere a utilização das ferramentas IPAQ e Baecke com equivalência, o que verificou-se não existir.

Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: EXPERIENCE FROM THE VETERANS AFFAIRS

PURPOSE

The conceptual utility of home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) is widely acknowledged. However, data substantiating its effectiveness and safety are limited. This study evaluated effectiveness and safety of the Veterans Affairs (VA) national HBCR program.

METHODS

Veterans completed a 12-wk HBCR program over 18 mo at 25 geographically dispersed VA hospitals. Pre- to post-changes were compared using paired t tests. Patient satisfaction and adverse events were also summarized descriptively.

RESULTS

Of the 923 Veterans with a mean age of 67.3 ± 10.6 yr enrolled in the HBCR program, 572 (62%) completed it. Findings included significant improvements in exercise capacity (6-min walk test distance: 355 vs 398 m; P < .05; Duke Activity Status Index: 27.1 vs 33.5; P < .05; self-reported steps/d: 3150 vs 4166; P < .05); depression measured by Patient Health Questionnaire (6.4 vs 4.9; P < .0001); cardiac self-efficacy (33.1 vs 39.2; P < .0001); body mass index (31.5 vs 31.1 kg/m2; P = .0001); and eating habits measured by Rate Your Plate, Heart (47.2 vs 51.1; P < .05). No safety issues were related to HBCR participation. Participants were highly satisfied.

CONCLUSIONS

The VA HBCR program demonstrates strong evidence of effectiveness and safety to a wide range of patients, including those with high clinical complexity and risk. HBCR provides an adjunct to site-based programs and access to cardiac rehabilitation. Additional research is needed to assess long-term effects, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of the model.

Improved Walk Test Performance and Blood Pressure Responses in Men and Women Completing Cardiac Rehabilitation: Implications Regarding Exercise Trainability

Purpose. To evaluate changes in walk test performance and blood pressure (BP) responses following a 12-week exercise-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. Methods. Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and resting systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), post-6MWT heart rate (HR), and post-6MWT BPs were measured before and after CR in 311 (237 men,74 women) patients. Using age as a covariate, 2 by 2 (Gender × Measurement) ANCOVAs were used to determine differences in 6MWT performance and hemodynamic variables. Results. After adjusting for age, men covered a greater 6MWT distance than women; pre-CR versus post-CR program values are as follows: men, 429.3 ± 94.6 versus 557.6 ± 90.7 m, P ≤ .001; women, 374.9 ± 100.7 versus 483.2 ± 82.9 m, P ≤ .001. Both genders reduced resting DBP following the CR program (men: 67.2 ± 9.8 vs 65.6 ± 8.5 mm Hg, P = .034; women: 69.2 ± 10.7 vs 65.0 ± 8.0 mm Hg, P = .001) and increased HR following the 6MWT after the CR program (men: 97.7 ± 16.8 vs 112.7 ± 21.3 bpm, P ≤ .001; women: 100.7 ± 20.8 vs 110.2 ± 22.0 bpm, P ≤ .001). Similarly, SBP increased immediately following the 6MWT (122.8 ± 18.5 vs 133.6 ± 20.7 mm Hg; P ≤ .001) in men but not in women. Conclusion. The present findings indicate similar relative improvements in 6MWT performance and BP responses in adherent men and women following an exercise-based CR program.

Physical recovery in the first six months following oesophago-gastric cancer surgery. Identifying rehabilitative needs: a qualitative interview study

PURPOSE

To investigate patients' perspectives of their physical recovery in the first six months post oesophago-gastric cancer surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were held at St James's Hospital, Dublin, with participants who were 4 weeks to 6 months post-oesophagectomy/gastrectomy. Interviews were an average of 14 min and included questions pertaining to physical recovery post-oesophagectomy/gastrectomy. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty participants (mean age 63.35(7.50) years) were recruited. Four themes were identified: i) challenges of recovery and impact on physical activity, ii) facilitators of, and barriers to, returning to physical activity, iii) physical challenges of returning to pre-operative societal roles, iv) recommendations for health services on measures which may enhance the return to physical activity. Post-operative barriers to physical activity included dietary issues, continuing treatments, pain, breathlessness, muscle weakness, fatigue, and anxiety. Participants identified that strategies such as a gradual return to activities, rest, and family support facilitated return to physical activity. Participants highlighted the need for i) greater physiotherapy input, ii) psycho-social support, and iii) fatigue management may aid physical recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Following oesophago-gastric cancer surgery, patients experience physical and psychosocial difficulties which can hamper recovery, but many of which are amenable to rehabilitative intervention. Accordingly, rehabilitative measures throughout the early stages of recovery require investigation.Implications for RehabilitationCurative treatment for oesophageal and gastric cancer is associated with significant risk of post-operative morbidity, resulting in a myriad of physical and nutritional challenges which may impact on post-operative physical recovery.Greater provision of physiotherapy services to counteract physical impairments post oesophago-gastric cancer surgery is required.Physical recovery may also be aided through the enhanced provision of other supportive care services such as fatigue management and psychological support.

The Process of Patient Engagement in Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

The primary aim of this study was to test the causal structure of the model of therapeutic engagement (MTE) for the first time, to examine whether the model assists in understanding the process of patient engagement in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs. This study used a prospective design, following up patients from the Gold Coast University Hospital Cardiology ward who attended Robina Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic. A structural equation model of the interactions among the proposed variables within the three stages of the MTE (intention to engage in CR programs, CR initiation, and sustained engagement) revealed significant relationships among these variables in a dataset of 101 patients who attended a CR program. However, no relationship was discerned between outcome expectancies and patient intention to engage in CR. Patients’ willingness to consider the treatment also mediated the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and patient intention to engage in CR. These findings help clarify the process proposed by Lequerica and Kortte (2010) in the context of patient engagement in CR programs. The findings also reveal information on how patients engage in CR programs. Importantly, this provides new information for healthcare providers, enabling them to more effectively engage patients according to their stage of engagement.

Predicting Long-Term Mortality, Morbidity, and Survival Outcomes Following a Cardiac Event: A Cardiac Rehabilitation Study

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been shown to decrease mortality and morbidity but estimations vary. While there is significant literature supporting short-term benefits, there is not a similarly body of research as to long-term (LT) benefits. Low participation rates in CR are due to several causes and evidence demonstrating positive LT outcomes could be a catalyst to increased participation rates.

Objective

To predict LT mortality, readmission, and survival benefits associated with CR participation in a nationally certified program.

Methods

Investigators collected mortality and hospital readmission data in a retrospective study to examine a cohort of cardiac patients following a myocardial infarction (MI), MI/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) up to 14 years ago. Hospital electronic medical record (EMR; n = 207) were used to measure hospital readmission outcome and State Health Department records (n = 361) for mortality and survival outcomes. Participation in CR, age, gender prior history of cardiac event, and diagnosis were used to predict readmission, mortality, and survival.

Results

Approximately half (52.1%) the sample participated in CR. Participants included 72% males, average age 68 years (38-91 years), and were predominantly Non-Hispanic white. CR participants attended an average of 20 sessions. CR group differed in diagnoses MI (58.5%), CABG (57.4%) and in prior history of heart disease (25.4%) from the non-cardiac rehabilitation (NCR) group (83.2%, 25.4%, 42.2%, respectively) (P < .05). After controlling for the covariates in logistic regression analyses, the CR group independently predicted lower all-cause mortality (odds ratio, OR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.39) and decreased hospital readmissions (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.96). After controlling for the covariates in survival analysis, the CR group significantly contributed to decreased likelihood of death hazard (hazard ratio = 0.36, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.54). Median survivor time for the participants was 5.91 years, SD = 3.81 years.

Conclusions

Participation in CR for middle age and elderly patients is associated with increased survival, a marked decrease in all-cause mortality, and a decrease in cardiovascular-related hospital readmission. A referral to a nationally certified outpatient CR program prior to hospital discharge and early enrollment may improve LT outcomes.

The Process of Patient Engagement in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Model-Centric Systematic Review

This study aimed to compile existing evidence about the proposed relationships among variables at three stages of the model of therapeutic engagement (MTE): patient intention to engage in cardiac rehabilitation (CR), CR initiation, and sustained engagement. This model has not been tested in any rehabilitation setting. Therefore, this systematic literature review is key to future research and application of MTE to predict and enhance patient engagement in CR. Model-centric systematic literature reviews have been conducted for each stage of the MTE. A coherent approach to understanding and monitoring the process of patient engagement in CR is absent. Few relevant studies included in the model-centric reviews met the criteria: eight in stage 1, four in stage 2, and six in stage 3 of the MTE. In total, the tenets of the MTE were supported in patient intention to engage in CR. However, there was less evidence quantifying the proposed relationships among variables that impact on CR initiation and sustained engagement. There is a scarcity of research examining rehabilitation engagement in depth to better understand the complicated process contributing to behavioural outcomes. No decision-support models currently exist to alert patients and healthcare provider to the factors that influence non-engagement.

The usefulness of impedance cardiography for predicting beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure

AIM

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an important part of heart failure (HF) treatment. The aim of this paper was to evaluate if thoracic fluid content (TFC) measured by impedance cardiography (ICG) is a useful parameter for predicting the outcome of CR.

METHODS

Fifty HF patients underwent clinical and noninvasive haemodynamic (TFC) assessments before and after 8-week CR.

RESULTS

As a result of CR, the patients' exercise tolerance improved, especially in terms of peak VO₂ (18.7 versus 20.8 mL × kg⁻¹ × min⁻¹; P = 0.025). TFC was found to identify patients with significantly improved peak VO₂ after CR. "High TFC" patients (TFC > 27.0 kOhm⁻¹), compared to those of "low TFC" (TFC < 27.0 kOhm⁻¹), were found to have more pronounced increase in peak VO₂ (1.3 versus 3.1 mL × kg⁻¹ × min(-1); P = 0.011) and decrease in TFC (4.0 versus 0.7 kOhm⁻¹; P < 0.00001). On the other hand, the patients with improved peak VO₂ (n = 32) differed from those with no peak VO₂ improvement in terms of higher baseline TFC values (28.4 versus 25.3 kOhm⁻¹; P = 0.039) and its significant decrease after CR (2.7 versus 0.2 kOhm⁻¹; P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

TFC can be a useful parameter for predicting beneficial effects of CR worth including in the process of patients' qualification for CR.