[Ambulatory cardiac rehabilitation in Trieste: protocols of intervention, activities and outcomes].

BACKGROUND

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a model of care proven to reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with coronary artery disease. The aim of this study is to describe the ambulatory CR model of the Cardiovascular Department of Trieste (Italy), analyzing the outcome of the population.

METHODS

We analyzed clinical and instrumental characteristics of all consecutive patients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), coronary artery bypass graft with or without valve surgery (CABG/CABGV), or planned percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), referred for CR from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2015. All patients were included in a registry. During CR and at 1-year follow-up, the incidence of new hospitalizations due to cardiovascular causes was assessed. Total and cardiovascular mortality was also evaluated at longer follow-up.

RESULTS

Overall, 3088 patients (28% female, mean age 70 ± 11 years; 35% older than 75 years) were referred for CR, 30% after STEMI, 23% after NSTEMI, 29% after CABG/CABGV, and 19% after PCI. At enrollment, 9% of patients had an ejection fraction <40%, 76% were hypertensive, 61% dyslipidemic, 19% diabetics, and 27% smokers. CR lasted 5 ± 4 months. At the end of the CR program, 96% of patients were on antiplatelets, 79% on beta-blockers, 73% on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 25% on angiotensin II receptor blockers, and 87% on statins with achievement of the following secondary prevention targets: LDL cholesterol 85 ± 30 mg/dl, glycated hemoglobin 7.2 ± 4%, heart rate 64 ± 11 bpm, systolic/diastolic blood pressure 137 ± 32/78 ± 14 mmHg. During CR, new hospitalizations occurred in 11% of patients, 1% within 1 year after CR. At a mean follow-up of 4.4 ± 2 years, 11% of patients died, 3% for cardiovascular causes, 0.7% within 1 year. Cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in elderly patients (6 vs 2%, p=0.000), women (4 vs 3%, p=0.038), diabetics (5 vs 3%, p=0.004), and in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (8 vs 3%, p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show the feasibility of a CR program in an unselected population, characterized by advanced age, risk factors and comorbidities. A critical analysis of the registry data allowed us to achieve good results in secondary prevention and outcomes.