A pilot study to examine relationships among external counterpulsation, cardiac output, functional capacity, and quality of life.

This study examined the relationships among external counterpulsation (a noninvasive treatment for angina), cardiac output, functional limitations, and quality of life. Patients significantly improved their distance walked from the beginning to the end of the external counterpulsation program yet did not perceive differences in angina or quality of life.

Predictors of cardiac rehabilitation initiation.

This study determines the effects of 15 potential predictors on cardiac rehabilitation (CR) initiation: demographic information, measures of perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived cardiac threat, social support, depression, comorbid conditions, left ventricular ejection fraction, strength of physician recommendation, and benefits and barriers. Results showed that greater strength of physician recommendation and less disease severity were significant predictors of higher levels of CR initiation; female gender was a marginally significant predictor of less CR initiation. The strength of the associations for these predictors varied.