The Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Programs on 12-Month Clinical Outcomes: A Linked Data Analysis

Carolyn M. Astley, Derek P. Chew, Wendy Keech, Stephen Nicholls, John Beltrame, Matthew Horsfall, Rosanna Tavella, Rosy Tirimacco, Robyn A. Clark

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Guidelines recommend referral to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for cardiac event prevention and risk factor management, but poor attendance persists. Following the development of standardised data and uniform capture, CR services have contributed to three audits in South Australia, Australia. We aimed to determine if CR attendance impacts on cardiovascular readmission, morbidity and mortality. Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, CR databases were linked to hospital administrative datasets to compare the characteristics and outcomes of CR patients between 2013 and 2015. Inverse probability weighting methods were used to measure associations between CR attendance versus non-attendance and cardiovascular readmission and the composite of death, new/re-myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and stroke within 12-months. Results: Of 49,909 eligible separations, 15,089/49,909 (30.2%) were referred to CR with an attendance rate of 4,286/15,089 (28.4%). Referred/declined patients were older (median: 67.3 vs 65.3 years, p < 0.001), more likely to be female (32.3% vs 26.5%, p < 0.001) with more heart failure (17.1% vs 10.9%, p < 0.001) and arrhythmia (6.1% vs 2.1%, p < 0.001) admissions and higher socio-economic disadvantage (median Index of Relative Socioeconomic Advantage and Disadvantage (IRSAD): 950.1 vs 960.4, p < 0.001). Referred/attended patients had lower cardiovascular readmission, (referred/attended vs not referred: 15.6% vs 22.7% and referred/attended vs referred/declined: 15.6% vs 29.6%, p < 0.001). After clinical and social factors adjustment there was no difference in composite outcomes, but attendance was associated with reduced cardiovascular readmission (HR:0.68, 95% IQR: 0.58–0.81, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Audit can measure service effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement. This study highlights patient eligibility, system and program considerations for future CR services.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)475-482
Number of pages8
JournalHeart Lung and Circulation
Volume29
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - Mar 2020

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular rehabilitation
  • Clinical audit
  • Clinical effectiveness
  • Data linkage analysis
  • Outcomes research
  • Secondary prevention

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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