No abstract

CRD42016036029.

Background: Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a recommendation in international clinical practice guidelines given its' benefits, however use is suboptimal. The purpose of this position statement was to translate evidence on interventions that increase CR enrolment and adherence into implementable recommendations. Methods: The writing panel was constituted by representatives of societies internationally concerned with preventive cardiology, and included disciplines that would be implementing the recommendations. Patient partners served, as well as policy-makers. The statement was developed in accordance with AGREE II, among other guideline checklists. Recommendations were based on our update of the Cochrane review on interventions to promote patient utilization of CR. These were circulated to panel members, who were asked to rate each on a 7-point Likert scale in terms of scientific acceptability, actionability, and feasibility of assessment. A web call was

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a proven model of secondary prevention. Indicated cardiac conditions for CR are well established, and participation of these patients results in significantly lower mortality and morbidity when compared with usual care. There are approximately 170 CR programs in Canada, which varies widely by province. There is a grossly insufficient capacity to treat all patients with cardiac indications in Canada and beyond. The density of CR services is about half that in the United States, at 1 program per 208,823 inhabitants or 1 program per 7779 patients with cardiac disease. Despite the Canadian Cardiovascular Society's target of 85% referral for CR for cardiac inpatients with the appropriate indications, significantly fewer patients are referred for CR. Moreover, certain patient groups-such as women, ethnocultural minorities, and those of low socioeconomic status-are less likely to access CR, despite greater need because of poorer outcomes. CR appears to be reaching a healthier population that is perhaps more adherent to secondary prevention recommendations and hence in less need of the limited CR spots available. The reasons for CR underuse are well established and include factors at patient, referring provider, CR program, and health system levels. A Cochrane review has established some effective interventions to increase CR use, and these must be implemented more broadly. We must advocate for CR reimbursement. Finally, we must reallocate our CR resources to patients with the greatest need. This may involve risk stratification, with subsequent allocation of lower-risk patients to a more widely available, lower-cost, and effective alternative model of CR.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended in clinical practice guidelines, but dose prescribed varies highly by country. This study characterized the dose offered in supervised CR programs and alternative models worldwide and their potential correlates. Methods and Results: In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was administered to CR programs globally. Cardiac associations and local champions facilitated program identification. Countries were classified based on region and income categories. Dose was operationalized as program duration×sessions per week. Generalized linear mixed models were performed to assess correlates. Of 203 countries in the world, 111 (54.7%) offered CR; data were collected in 93 (83.8% country response rate; n=1082 surveys, 32.1% program response rate). Globally, supervised CR programs were a median of 24 sessions (n=619, 57.3% programs ≥12 sessions); home-based and community-based programs offered 6 and 20 sessions, respectively. There was significant variation in supervised CR dose by region ( P ≤0.001), with the Americas (median, 36 sessions) offering a significantly greater dose than several other regions; there was also a trend for variation by country income classification. There was no difference in home-based dose by region ( P =0.43) but there was for community-based programs ( P <0.05; Americas offering greater dose). There was a significant dose variation in both home- and community-based programs by income classification ( P =0.002 and P <0.001, respectively), with higher doses offered by upper-middle-income than high-income countries. Correlates of supervised CR dose included more involvement of physicians ( P =0.026), proximity to other programs ( P =0.002), and accepting patients with noncardiac indications ( P =0.037). Conclusions: CR programs in many countries may need to increase their dose, which could be supported through physician champions.

Too few patients utilize cardiac rehabilitation (CR), despite its benefits. The Cochrane review assessing the effectiveness of interventions to increase CR utilization (enrolment, adherence, and completion) was updated. A search was performed through July 2018 of the Cochrane and MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) databases, among other sources. Randomized controlled trials in adults with myocardial infarction, angina, revascularization, or heart failure were included. Interventions had to aim to increase utilization of comprehensive phase II CR. Two authors independently performed all stages of citation processing. Following the random-effects meta-analysis, meta-regression was undertaken to explore the impact of pre-specified factors. Twenty-six trials with 5299 participants were included (35.8% women). Low-quality evidence showed an effect of interventions in increasing enrolment (risk ratio (RR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13–1.42). Meta-regression analyses suggested that the intervention deliverer (nurse or allied healthcare provider, p = 0.02) and delivery format (face-to-face, p = 0.01) were influential in increasing enrolment. There was low-quality evidence that interventions to increase adherence were effective (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.20–0.55), particularly where remotely-offered (SMD = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.36–0.76). There was moderate-quality evidence that interventions to increase program completion were effective (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02–1.25). There are effective interventions to increase CR utilization, but more research is needed to establish specific, implementable materials and protocols, particularly for completion.

Background: A policy statement recommending that healthcare providers (HCPs) encourage cardiac patients to enroll in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) was recently endorsed by 23 medical societies. This study describes the development and evaluation of a guideline implementation tool. Methods: A stepwise multiple-method study was conducted. Inpatient cardiac HCPs were recruited between September 2018-May 2019 from two academic hospitals in Toronto, Canada. First, HCPs were observed during discharge discussions with patients to determine needs. Results informed selection and development of the tool by the multidisciplinary planning committee, namely an online course. It was pilot-tested with target users through a think-aloud protocol with subsequent semi-structured interviews, until saturation was achieved. Results informed refinement before launching the course. Finally, to evaluate impact, HCPs were surveyed to test whether knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and practice changed from before watching the course, through to post-course and 1 month later. Results: Seven nurses (71.4% female) were observed. Five (62.5%) initiated dialogue about CR, which lasted on average 12 s. Patients asked questions, which HCPs could not answer. The planning committee decided to develop an online course to reach inpatient cardiac HCPs, to educate them on how to encourage patients to participate in CR at the bedside. The course was pilot-tested with 5 HCPs (60.0% nurse-practitioners). Revisions included providing evidence of CR benefits and clarification regarding pre-CR stress test screening. HCPs did not remember the key points to convey, so a downloadable handout was embedded for the point-of-care. The course was launched, with the surveys. Twenty-four HCPs (83.3% nurses) completed the pre-course survey, 21 (87.5%) post, and 9 (37.5%) 1 month later. CR knowledge increased from pre (mean = 2.71 ± 0.95/5) to post-course (mean = 4.10 ± 0.62; p ≤ .001), as did self-efficacy in answering patient CR questions (mean = 2.29 ± 0.95/5 pre and 3.67 ± 0.58 post; p ≤ 0.001). CR attitudes were significantly more positive post-course (mean = 4.13 ± 0.95/5 pre and 4.62 ± 0.59 post; p ≤ 0.05). With regard to practice, 8 (33.3%) HCPs

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Takayasu Arteritis is a rare, inflammatory vasculitis that affects the large vessels and can manifest systemically. It most commonly presents in women of childbearing age. METHODS/RESULTS: This young lady presented with an eighteen month history of low energy, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss of 20 kgs over an 18 month period. During a routine exam, her GP noted a new murmur and an echocardiogram revealed a massively dilated ascending aorta with severe aortic regurgitation. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging revealed involvement of the carotid arteries and intracerebral vessels. She was admitted to hospital in an acute inflammatory state with cardiology, rheumatology, and cardiovascular surgery involvement. Treatment was initiated with IV steroids and immunosuppressive therapy prior to surgery. After 6 weeks of treatment a positron emission tomography (PET) scan re-evaluated the degree of inflammation and she was deemed ready for aortic surgery. She underwent a successful mechanical aortic valve, root reconstruction, coronary re-implantation, ascending and hemi-arch replacement. Her post-operative course was complicated by third degree heart block, pericarditis, and infection, presumably related to immunosuppression. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This presentation will discuss her initial presentation, diagnosing characteristics, medical and surgical implications, post-operative challenges, and long-term management. It will highlight takayasu arteritis including the six different types, with a focus on type 2A as diagnosed in this young female.