Breathing pattern and pulmonary gas exchange in elderly patients with and without left ventricular dysfunction-modification with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and prognostic value.

Background: Inefficient ventilation is an established prognostic marker in patients with heart failure. It is not known whether inefficient ventilation is also linked to poor prognosis in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) but without overt heart failure.

Objectives: To investigate whether inefficient ventilation in elderly patients with LVD is more common than in patients without LVD, whether it improves with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR), and whether it is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Comparison and predictors of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy for primary and secondary prevention.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are effective in detecting and treating ventricular arrhythmias. Studies on ICD therapy for different indications (primary and secondary prevention) and possible predictors of ICD therapy are limited. In this study, the incidence and type of ICD therapy were related to the indication and the underlying cardiac pathology.

Predictors for one-year outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular risk factor control after cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients: The EU-CaRE study.

Introduction: Studies on effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in elderly cardiovascular disease patients are rare, and it is unknown, which patients benefit most. We aimed to identify predictors for 1-year outcomes of cardiorespiratory fitness and CV risk factor (CVRF) control in patients after completing CR programs offered across seven European countries.

Methods: Cardiovascular disease patients with minimal age 65 years who participated in comprehensive CR were included in this observational study.

Changes and prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing parameters in elderly patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation: The EU-CaRE observational study.

Objective: We aimed 1) to test the applicability of the previously suggested prognostic value of CPET to elderly cardiac rehabilitation patients and 2) to explore the underlying mechanism of the greater improvement in exercise capacity (peak oxygen consumption, VO2) after CR in surgical compared to non-surgical cardiac patients.

Methods: Elderly patients (≥65 years) commencing CR after coronary artery bypass grafting, surgical valve replacement (surgery-group), percutaneous coronary intervention, percutaneous valve replacement or without revascularisation (non-surgery group) were included in the prospective multi-center EU-CaRE study. CPETs were performed at start of CR, end of CR and 1-year-follow-up.

Greater burden of risk factors and less effect of cardiac rehabilitation in elderly with low educational attainment: The Eu-CaRE study.

Aims: Socioeconomic status is a strong predictor of cardiovascular health. The aim of this study was to describe the immediate and long-term effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) across socioeconomic strata in elderly cardiac patients in Europe.

Methods And Results: The observational EU-CaRE study is a prospective study with eight CR sites in seven European countries.

Identifying Reasons for Nonattendance and Noncompletion of Cardiac Rehabilitation: INSIGHTS FROM GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS.

Purpose: Despite strong recommendations and beneficial health effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), participation rates remain low. Little data are available on reasons beyond quantitative factors in the underutilization of CR. The aim of this study was to identify personal reasons for nonattenders and noncompletions of CR among Dutch and German patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) eligible for CR.

Sedentary behaviour in cardiovascular disease patients: Risk group identification and the impact of cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Sedentary behaviour (SB) is potentially an important target to improve cardiovascular health. This study 1) compared SB between cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients and age-matched controls, 2) identified characteristics associated with high SB levels, and 3) determined the impact of contemporary cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on SB.

Methods: For objective 1, we recruited 131 CVD patients and 117 controls.

Training intensity and improvements in exercise capacity in elderly patients undergoing European cardiac rehabilitation - the EU-CaRE multicenter cohort study.

Objectives: Guidelines for exercise intensity prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) are inconsistent and have recently been discussed controversially. We aimed (1) to compare training intensities between European CR centres and (2) to assess associations between training intensity and improvement in peak oxygen consumption ([Formula: see text]O2) in elderly CR patients.

Methods: Peak [Formula: see text]O2, heart rate and work rate (WR) at the first and second ventilatory thresholds were measured at start of CR.

Effectiveness of Home-Based Mobile Guided Cardiac Rehabilitation as Alternative Strategy for Nonparticipation in Clinic-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Elderly Patients in Europe: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Although nonparticipation in cardiac rehabilitation is known to increase cardiovascular mortality and hospital readmissions, more than half of patients with coronary artery disease in Europe are not participating in cardiac rehabilitation.

Objective: To assess whether a 6-month guided mobile cardiac rehabilitation (MCR) program is an effective therapy for elderly patients who decline participation in cardiac rehabilitation.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Patients were enrolled in this parallel multicenter randomized clinical trial from November 11, 2015, to January 3, 2018, and follow-up was completed on January 17, 2019, in a secondary care system with 6 cardiac institutions across 5 European countries.

Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation With All-Cause Mortality Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease in the Netherlands.

Importance: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an effective strategy to improve clinical outcomes, but it remains underused in some subgroups of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Objective: To investigate the implications of sex, age, socioeconomic status, CVD diagnosis, cardiothoracic surgery, and comorbidity for the association between CR participation and all-cause mortality.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Observational cohort study with patient enrollment between July 1, 2012, and December 31, 2017, and a follow-up to March 19, 2020.

Clinical outcomes after cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients with and without diabetes mellitus: The EU-CaRE multicenter cohort study.

Background: The prevalence of patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing rapidly. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of current cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs across seven European countries between elderly cardiac patients with and without DM.

Methods: 1633 acute and chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) patients and patients after valve intervention with an age 65 or above who participated in comprehensive CR (3 weeks to 3 months, depending on centre) were included.

Cardiac rehabilitation of elderly patients in eight rehabilitation units in western Europe: Outcome data from the EU-CaRE multi-centre observational study.

Aims: The European Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Elderly (EU-CaRE) HORIZON 2020 project compares the sustainable effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in elderly patients.

Methods And Results: A total of 1633 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or heart valve replacement (HVR), with or without revascularization, aged 65 or above, who participated in CR were included. Peak oxygen uptake (VO), smoking, body mass index, diet, physical activity, serum lipids, psychological distress and medication were assessed before and after CR (T0 and T1) and after 12 months (T2).

Predictors of pre-rehabilitation exercise capacity in elderly European cardiac patients - The EU-CaRE study.

Aims: Functional capacity is an important endpoint for therapies oriented to older adults with cardiovascular diseases. The literature on predictors of exercise capacity is sparse in the elderly population. In a longitudinal European study on effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation of seven European countries in elderly (>65 years) coronary artery disease or valvular heart disease patients, predictors for baseline exercise capacity were determined, and reference ranges for elderly cardiac patients provided.

The sustained effects of extending cardiac rehabilitation with a six-month telemonitoring and telecoaching programme on fitness, quality of life, cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in CAD patients: The TeleCaRe study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the acute and sustained effects of a six-month heart-rate-based telerehabilitation programme, following the completion of cardiac rehabilitation (CR), on peak oxygen uptake (peakVO), quality of life (QoL), cardiovascular risk factors and care utilisation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A total of 122 patients with CAD were randomised, after the completion of CR, to an intervention group with six months of telemonitoring and telecoaching (TELE) or a control group with a traditional six-month follow-up programme with monthly calls (CON). The primary outcome was peakVO at 12 months, to assess the sustained effects of TELE.

Cardiac rehabilitation in the elderly patient in eight rehabilitation units in Western Europe: Baseline data from the EU-CaRE multicentre observational study.

Background: Due to the progressive deconditioning, comorbidities and higher complication rates, elderly patients are in particular need of cardiac rehabilitation. We compared elderly patients (65+ years old) participating in cardiac rehabilitation, focusing on baseline characteristics, risk factor control and functional assessment.

Methods: The EU-CaRE study is a prospective study comparing cardiac rehabilitation in eight centres across Western Europe.

Absence of Fitness Improvement Is Associated with Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the clinical effect of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and improvements in CRF after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in heart failure (HF) patients for their risk for all-cause mortality and unplanned hospitalization and to investigate possible factors associated with the absence of improvement in CRF after rehabilitation.

Methods: We included 155 HF patients receiving CR between October 2009 and January 2015. Patients performed an incremental bicycle test to assess CRF through peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2-peak) before and after CR-based supervised exercise training.

A EUropean study on effectiveness and sustainability of current Cardiac Rehabilitation programmes in the Elderly: Design of the EU-CaRE randomised controlled trial.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based intervention to increase survival and quality of life. Yet studies consistently show that elderly patients are less frequently referred to CR, show less uptake and more often drop out of CR programmes.

Design: The European study on effectiveness and sustainability of current cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the elderly (EU-CaRE) project consists of an observational study and an open prospective, investigator-initiated multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving mobile telemonitoring guided CR (mCR).

Rationale and design of a randomised clinical trial for an extended cardiac rehabilitation programme using telemonitoring: the TeleCaRe study.

Background: Despite the known positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation and an active lifestyle, evidence is emerging that it is difficult to attain and sustain the minimum recommendations of leisure time physical activity. The long-term benefits are often disappointing due to lack of adherence to the changes in life style. Qualitative research on patients' perspectives suggests that motivation for lifestyle change tends to diminish around 3 months after the index-event.

Participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs. A systematic review.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important health problem. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs following AMI have shown to be effective in reducing mortality. We aim to systematically review the existing literature that analyzes the factors that affect participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation programs.