The Effect of Peer-Mentor Support for Older Vulnerable Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease-A 24-Week Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are well established; however, among older and vulnerable patients, nonattendance and dropout are prevalent problems.

Aim: The objective of this study is to explore if a 24-week peer-mentor intervention increases initial and long-term CR attendance. Secondary aims are whether peer-mentor intervention improves lifestyle (diet and physical activity) and psychological outcomes (self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, and quality of life) among older vulnerable patients with ischemic heart disease.

Are cardiac rehabilitation pathways influenced by diabetes: A cohort study.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Diabetes is a common long-term condition associated with ACS, and the inclusion of these patients in CR has been less studied. This study examines the referral, uptake, and completion rates in the CR pathway for ACS patients with and without diabetes to identify potential barriers in the CR pathway.

Health-related quality of life in elderly cardiac patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation and the association with exercise capacity: the EU-CaRE study.

Aims: The ability to be physically active is pivotal to the quality of life in elderly patients. This study aims to describe the association between exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, and depression following an exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programme in elderly cardiac patients.

Methods And Results: Patients aged ≥65 years with acute and chronic coronary syndrome or heart valve surgery were consecutively included from eight CR centres in seven European countries.

Psychometric Properties of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire in a Surgical Population of Patients With Aortic Valve Stenosis.

The 12-item version of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) was originally developed for patients with heart failure but has been used and tested among patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) who underwent transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Whether the instrument is suitable for patients with AS who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is currently unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the KCCQ-12 before and after SAVR among patients with severe AS.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy reduces psychological distress in younger patients with cardiac disease: a randomized trial.

Aims: To test whether usual outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) supplemented by a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention may reduce anxiety and depression compared with usual CR.

Methods And Results: In this multicentre randomized controlled trial, 147 cardiac patients (67% men, mean age 54 years, 92% with coronary artery disease) with psychological distress defined as a hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) anxiety or depression score ≥8 were randomized to five sessions of group CBT plus usual CR (intervention, n = 74) or CR alone (control, n = 73). Patients with severe distress or a psychiatric diagnosis were excluded.

Socioeconomic and ethnical disparity in coronary heart disease outcomes in Denmark and the effect of cardiac rehabilitation-A nationwide registry study.

Aims: Cardiovascular patients with low socioeconomic status and non-western ethnic background have worse prognostic outcomes. The aim of this nationwide study was first to address whether short-term effects of hospital-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are similar across educational level and ethnic background, and secondly to study whether known disparity in long-term prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disese is diminished by CR participation.

Methods: All patients with myocardial infarction and/or coronary revascularization from August 2015 until March 2018 in the Danish national patient registry or the Danish cardiac rehabilitation database (DHRD) were included.

Peer-mentor support for older vulnerable myocardial infarction patients referred to cardiac rehabilitation: single-arm feasibility study.

Background: The positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation are well established. However, it has an inherent challenge, namely the low attendance rate among older vulnerable patients, which illustrates the need for effective interventions. Peer mentoring is a low-cost intervention that has the potential to improve cardiac rehabilitation attendance and improve physical and psychological outcomes among older patients.

Long-term effects of cardiac rehabilitation after heart valve surgery - results from the randomised CopenHeart trial.

. The CopenHeart trial found positive effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on physical capacity at 4 months. The long-term effects of CR following valve surgery remains unclear, especially regarding readmission and mortality.

Occurrence and predictors of pericardial effusion requiring invasive treatment following heart valve surgery.

Objectives: To describe the occurrence of significant pericardial effusion, and to investigate characteristics associated with pericardial effusion within three months following heart valve surgery.

Methods: A retrospective, observational cohort study including adult patients undergoing heart valve surgery at Odense University Hospital from August 2013 to November 2017. Data were gathered from The Western Denmark Heart Registry and electronic patient records.

Cardiac rehabilitation for patients with heart failure: association with readmission and mortality risk.

Aims: To examine the temporal trends and factors associated with national cardiac rehabilitation (CR) referral and compare the risk of hospital readmission and mortality in those referred for CR versus no referral.

Methods And Results: This cohort study includes all adult patients alive 120 days from incident heart failure (HF) identified by the Danish Heart Failure Registry (n = 33 257) between 2010 and 2018. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the association between CR referral and patient factors and acute all-cause hospital readmission and mortality at 1 year following HF admission.

Reintervention rates following bioprosthetic surgical aortic valve replacement-a Danish Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objectives: Updated European guidelines recommend annual echocardiographic evaluation after bioprosthetic surgical aortic valve replacement (bio-SAVR). Given the increased demand on health care resources, only clinically relevant controls can be prioritized. We therefore aimed to explore reintervention rates following bio-SAVR.

Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation for patients following infective endocarditis: results of the randomized CopenHeartIE trial.

Aims: Infective endocarditis is a complex and highly mortal disease requiring lengthy treatment. Physical and mental deconditioning is common. Nonetheless, rehabilitation is virtually unexplored in this population.

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.

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for adults after heart valve surgery.

Background: The impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) following heart valve surgery is uncertain. We conducted an update of this systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess randomised controlled trial evidence for the use of exercise-based CR following heart valve surgery.

Objectives: To assess the benefits and harms of exercise-based CR compared with no exercise training in adults following heart valve surgery or repair, including both percutaneous and surgical procedures.

Employment status before and after open heart valve surgery: A cohort study.

Objective: Detachment from the workforce following open heart valve surgery is a burden for the patient and society. The objectives were to examine patterns of employment status at different time points and to investigate factors associated with a lower likelihood of returning to the workforce within six months.

Methods: A cohort study of patients aged 18-63 undergoing valvular surgery at a Danish tertiary centre from 2013-2017.

Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients Treated for Atrial Fibrillation With Ablation Has Long-Term Effects: 12-and 24-Month Follow-up Results From the Randomized CopenHeart Trial.

Objective: To assess outcomes at 12 and 24 months after participation in a multidisciplinary cardiac rehabilitation program plus usual care compared with usual care alone for patients treated for atrial fibrillation with catheter ablation.

Design: Long-term follow-up on the randomized CopenHeart trial.

Setting: Patients were enrolled and outcome assessed at the hospital and the intervention were carried out at the hospital or at local rehabilitation centers.

Causes and characteristics associated with early and late readmission after open-heart valve surgery.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to describe the causes of readmission from discharge to 30 days and from day 31 to 180 after discharge and to investigate the characteristics associated with overall and cause-specific readmissions after open-heart valve surgery.

Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort of 980 patients undergoing open-heart valve surgery from 2013 to 2016. Time to the first readmission was analyzed using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models.

What to expect after open heart valve surgery? Changes in health-related quality of life.

Purpose: To (i) describe changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) pre-operatively, at discharge, and 4 weeks after discharge following open heart surgery, (ii) compare the performance of the EuroQol Questionnaire (EQ-5D 5L) and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) against an anchor-based approach, and to (iii) investigate the association between HRQoL and 180-day readmission.

Methods: A prospective, consecutive cohort (single-center study) of 291 patients completed the EQ-5D 5L and KCCQ pre-operatively, at discharge and 4 weeks post-discharge. Changes in HRQoL over time were evaluated, and the performance of the instruments was investigated.

Early follow-up after open heart valve surgery reduces healthcare costs: a propensity matched study.

Objectives: The objective was to assess differences in healthcare costs within 180 days after discharge from open heart valve surgery in an intervention group receiving early, individualised and intensified follow-up compared with a historical control group.

Methods: A cost-minimisation analysis comparing costs from a consecutive prospective cohort compared with a propensity matched cohort. Costs related to the intervention, hospital (outpatient visits and readmissions) and general practitioners (all contacts) were included.

Data on an intervention to reduce readmissions after open heart valve surgery.

Data describe supplementary tables and figures related to the research article; Effect of early, individualised and intensified follow-up after open heart valve surgery on unplanned cardiac hospital readmissions and all-cause mortality [1]. Data on patients undergoing open heart valve surgery were presented in 308 patients in a prospective cohort and compared with 980 patients in a historical cohort. Included figures show inclusion and exclusion of patients (flowchart) and the specific elements of the intervention.

Effect of early, individualised and intensified follow-up after open heart valve surgery on unplanned cardiac hospital readmissions and all-cause mortality.

Background: Unplanned readmissions after heart valve surgery are common, and constitute a significant burden for the patient and the health care system. The objective was to investigate the effect of individualised follow-up after open heart valve surgery on a composite endpoint of first unplanned cardiac hospital readmission or all-cause mortality within 180 days of discharge.

Methods: The study is a prospective cohort study comparing the composite endpoint in patients undergoing early, individualised and intensified follow-up after heart valve surgery with a propensity matched historical control group.

Measuring HRQoL following heart valve surgery: the HeartQoL questionnaire is a valid and reliable core heart disease instrument.

Purpose: Patient-reported health-related quality of life is a complementary healthcare outcome and important when assessing treatment efficacy. Using COSMIN methodological recommendations, this study evaluates the validity and reliability of a core heart disease-specific health-related quality of life questionnaire, the HeartQoL questionnaire (Danish version) in a sample of patients following heart valve surgery.

Design: This project involved a cross-sectional validity study and a test-retest reliability study.