Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation: Ambulatory Heart Groups - A Model From Germany.

Approximately 7,000 ambulatory (outpatient) heart groups (AHG) with 125,000 patients who are physically active on a regular basis have been established in Germany since the mid-1960s. Following phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR), patients in an AHG aim to meet their set CR goals in groups of up to 20 participants under the instruction of a competent exercise therapist, and with regular attendance by a physician. Physical activity is the dominant aspect; psychosocial and educative elements are integrated to stabilize secondary cardiovascular prevention.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in German Speaking Countries of Europe-Evidence-Based Guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH-Part 2.

Background: Scientific guidelines have been developed to update and harmonize exercise based cardiac rehabilitation (ebCR) in German speaking countries. Key recommendations for ebCR indications have recently been published in part 1 of this journal. The present part 2 updates the evidence with respect to contents and delivery of ebCR in clinical practice, focusing on exercise training (ET), psychological interventions (PI), patient education (PE).

Cardiac Rehabilitation in German Speaking Countries of Europe-Evidence-Based Guidelines from Germany, Austria and Switzerland LLKardReha-DACH-Part 1.

Background: Although cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) is well accepted in general, CR-attendance and delivery still considerably vary between the European countries. Moreover, clinical and prognostic effects of CR are not well established for a variety of cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: The guidelines address all aspects of CR including indications, contents and delivery.