Validation of the Italian HeartQoL: a short health-related quality of life questionnaire for patients with ischemic heart disease.

The psychometric properties of the core disease-specific 14-item Italian HeartQoL health-related quality of life questionnaire have been evaluated in this study. The Italian version of the HeartQoL, the MacNew questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were completed by 472 patients (angina, N = 183; myocardial infarction, N = 167; or ischemic heart failure, N = 122) who were recruited in five Italian centers (Florence, Veruno, Turin, Udine, and Naples) between 2015 and 2017. Patients with myocardial infarction reported significantly higher HeartQoL scores than patients with angina or ischemic heart failure.

Psychophysical health of elderly inpatients in cardiac rehabilitation: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Elderlies in cardiac rehabilitation show a particular frailty due to specific aging issues, thus specific professional psychophysical care is required.

Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of a cardiac rehabilitation program enhanced with psychological support on the psychophysical health of elderly subjects aged ≥75. Moreover, the association of psychophysical conditions with the long-term post-discharge course of medical events was examined.

Does a Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation Program Improve Patients' and Caregivers' Emotional State in LVAD Patients?

Few studies evaluated the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on perceived emotional and health status of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients, and none explored their effect on caregivers' strain. We enrolled 119 adult LVAD patients, together with their caregivers (n = 91), in two Rehabilitation Institutes that provided inpatient multidisciplinary activities. At admittance and prior to discharge they completed questionnaires evaluating patient emotional state and subjective perception of health status, caregiver strain, and patient and caregiver perception of the VAD.

Best practice in psychological activities in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation: Position Paper.

Recent guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention suggest multimodal behavioral interventions for psychosocial risk factors and referral for psychotherapy in the case of clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety overall. Accordingly, psychologists of the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation and Epidemiology (GICR-IACPR) have reviewed the key components of psychological activities in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to elaborate a position paper on the best practice in routine psychological activities in CPR based on efficacy, effectiveness and sustainability.

Preliminary report on left-ventricular assist devices: are patients' and caregivers' psychosocial needs adequately addressed?

Objectives: Patients implanted with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) constitute a new population of chronic heart failure (HF) patients requiring continuous medical support and representing heavy costs - both direct and indirect - for the healthcare system. If there is consensus about the increased survival, the psychosocial outcomes, in terms of psychological wellbeing, behavioral and social functioning of both patients and caregivers, are still unclear. Overall, it is not clear if local health and social services are equipped to support them in their needs.