Women-Focused Cardiovascular Rehabilitation: An International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Clinical Practice Guideline

Women-focused cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR; phase II) aims to better engage women, and might result in better quality of life than traditional programs. This first clinical practice guideline by the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) provides guidance on how to deliver women-focused programming. The writing panel comprised experts with diverse geographic representation, including multidisciplinary health care providers, a policy-maker, and patient partners. The guideline was developed in accordance with Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and the Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in HealTh care (RIGHT). Initial recommendations were on the basis of a meta-analysis. These were circulated to a Delphi panel (comprised of corresponding authors from review articles and of programs delivering women-focused CR identified through ICCPR's audit; N = 76), who were asked to rate each on a 7-point Likert scale in terms of impact and implementability (higher scores positive). A Web call was convened to achieve consensus; 15 panelists confirmed strength of revised recommendations (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation [GRADE]). The draft underwent external review from CR societies internationally and was posted for public comment. The 14 drafted recommendations related to referral (systematic, encouragement), setting (model choice, privacy, staffing), and delivery (exercise mode, psychosocial, education, self-management empowerment). Nineteen (25.0%) survey responses were received. For all but 1 recommendation, ≥ 75% voted to include; implementability ratings were < 5/7 for 4 recommendations, but only 1 for effect. Ultimately 1 recommendation was excluded, 1 separated into 2 and all revised (2 substantively); 1 recommendation was added. Overall, certainty of evidence for the final recommendations was low to moderate, and strength mostly strong. These recommendations and associated tools can support all programs to feasibly offer some women-focused programming.

Comparison of cardiac rehabilitation outcomes in individuals with respiratory, cardiac or no comorbidities: A retrospective review

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and impact of respiratory comorbidities on patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

METHODS

A retrospective review of a CR database (1999 to 2004) of patients with ischemic heart disease with ≥10 pack per year (ppy) smoking history and respiratory comorbidities (RC), non-respiratory comorbidities (NRC) and no comorbidities (NC) was performed. Primary outcomes at zero, six and 12 months included peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), maximum workload, resting heart rate, ventilatory anaerobic threshold and anthropometrics. Analyses were performed on individuals who completed the program, adjusting for age, sex and baseline VO2peak.

RESULTS

Of 5922 patients, 1247 had ≥10 ppy smoking history: 77 (6.2%) had RC; 957 (76.7%) had NRC; and 213 (17.1%) had NC. The program completion rate for each group was similar for the RC (46.8%), NRC (55.8%) and NC groups (57.3%) (P=0.26). The RC group had the lowest baseline fitness levels (P<0.002). For VO2peak, there were significant differences among groups (P=0.02) and improvements over program duration (P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a low prevalence of patients with comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in CR when based on physician referral documentation. This is likely underestimated and/or reflects a referral bias. Diagnostic testing at CR entry would provide a more accurate measure of the prevalence and severity of disease. CR participation resulted in significant and similar improvements in most key CR outcomes in all groups including similar completion rate. A CR model was effective for patients with coexisting RCs. Strategies to improve access and diagnosis should be explored.