Remote-delivered cardiac rehabilitation during COVID-19: a prospective cohort comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes and patient experiences.

Aims: Enforced suspension and reduction of in-person cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions required rapid implementation of remote delivery methods, thus enabling a cohort comparison of in-person vs. remote-delivered CR participants. This study aimed to examine the health-related quality of life (HRQL) outcomes and patient experiences comparing these delivery modes.

Validation of the PROMIS-29v2 Health-Related Quality-of-Life Questionnaire in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease Participating in Remote Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to validate the 29-item Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System version 2.0 (PROMIS-29v2) health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) questionnaire for use in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) participating in remotely delivered cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Methods: Patients commencing remote CR across four sites in New South Wales, Australia, answered the PROMIS-29v2 and 12-item Short Form Health Survey version 2.

Target Audience and Preferences Related to an Australian Coronary Heart Disease Specific Mobile App: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Widespread availability of mobile technologies offers the opportunity to support secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) via mobile apps, however, the target audience and their app preferences are unknown. This study aims to identify the potential audience for an Australian CHD specific app and their recommendations and preferences.

Methods: A two-phase mixed methods study: Phase 1: CHD patients (n=282) were surveyed on mobile app engagement.

Mobile Technology Use Across Age Groups in Patients Eligible for Cardiac Rehabilitation: Survey Study.

Background: Emerging evidence indicates mobile technology-based strategies may improve access to secondary prevention and reduce risk factors in cardiac patients. However, little is known about cardiac patients' use of mobile technology, particularly for health reasons and whether the usage varies across patient demographics.

Objective: This study aimed to describe cardiac patients' use of mobile technology and to determine variations between age groups after adjusting for education, employment, and confidence with using mobile technology.

Cardiac Patients' Experiences and Perceptions of Social Media: Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Traditional in-person cardiac rehabilitation has substantial benefits for cardiac patients, which are offset by poor attendance. The rapid increase in social media use in older adults provides an opportunity to reach patients who are eligible for cardiac rehabilitation but unable to attend traditional face-to-face groups. However, there is a paucity of research on cardiac patients' experiences and perspectives on using social media to support their health.

Who gets stroke prevention? Stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients in the inpatient setting.

Background: Current guidelines strongly recommend antithrombotic therapy, particularly warfarin, for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients at high risk of stroke. Despite this, use of these medications is far from optimal. The aim of this study was to describe the use of stroke prevention medication in inpatients and identify factors associated with prescription in one local health district in Sydney, Australia.

Profile of atrial fibrillation inpatients: Cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac rehabilitation programme delivery and referral patterns.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly common; however, the cardiovascular risk factor profile and the patterns of delivery and referral to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in this population are poorly described. We conducted an audit of medical records (n = 145) of patients admitted with AF in one local health district in Sydney, Australia. Patients were aged a mean 72 years, and 51% were male.

Evaluation of a brief educational intervention to improve knowledge of sublingual nitroglycerin in cardiac rehabilitation patients.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a brief educational intervention delivered in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on patients' knowledge of sublingual nitroglycerin (SLN).

Methods: Patients (n=86) commencing CR were provided with a brief educational intervention tailored to deficits identified in an assessment of SLN knowledge using the Sublingual Nitroglycerin Questionnaire, with reassessment at the end of program completion (6-8 weeks).

Results: The mean age of patients was 64.

Collaboration: a solution to the challenge of conducting nursing research in cardiac rehabilitation.

Clinical nurse leaders such as clinical nurse consultants are required to conduct research and incorporate outcomes of this research into their every day practice. However, undertaking research presents issues for cardiac rehabilitation clinical nurse consultants because they may have competing demands, difficulty with finding replacements and may be relatively isolated from other researchers. The solution to this situation is the formation of a collaborative research team with other cardiac rehabilitation clinical nurse consultants, with the inclusion of an experienced university academic as a mentor for the cardiac rehabilitation clinical nurse consultants working in an Area Health Service encompassing both rural and metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales, Australia.

A pre-test post-test study of a brief educational intervention demonstrates improved knowledge of potential acute myocardial infarction symptoms and appropriate responses in cardiac rehabilitation patients.

Background: Patient delay in recognizing and responding to potential acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptoms is an international issue. Cardiac rehabilitation provides an ideal opportunity to deliver an intervention.

Aims: This study examines an individual educational intervention on knowledge of heart attack warning signs and specific chest pain action plans for people with coronary heart disease.

Sublingual nitroglycerin practices in patients with coronary artery disease in Australia.

Background And Research Objective: Sublingual nitroglycerin (SLNTG) medications are a recommended treatment for people with coronary artery disease (CAD); however, prescription and knowledge may be suboptimal. This study set out to determine how often SLNTG is prescribed and the knowledge and factors associated in patients with CAD.

Subjects And Methods: Patients (n = 142) were recruited from cardiac rehabilitation and surveyed regarding SLNTG prescription and key knowledge areas related to SLNTG in those prescribed (n = 89).