Long-Term Maintenance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Gains After Cardiac Rehabilitation Reduces Mortality Risk in Patients With Multimorbidity : Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention

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Cardiac Rehabilitation

Long-Term Maintenance of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Gains After Cardiac Rehabilitation Reduces Mortality Risk in Patients With Multimorbidity

Ozemek, Cemal PhD; Arena, Ross PhD, PT; Rouleau, Codie R. PhD; Campbell, Tavis S. PhD; Hauer, Trina MSc; Wilton, Stephen B. MD, MSc; Stone, James MD, PhD; Laddu, Deepika PhD; Williamson, Tamara M. MSc; Liu, Hongwei MD, MSc; Chirico, Daniele PhD; Austford, Leslie D. MN, MBA, CMPE; Aggarwal, Sandeep MD

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Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention 43(2):p 109-114, March 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/HCR.0000000000000734

Purpose: 

The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of multimorbidity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on mortality in patients completing cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Methods: 

This cohort study included data from patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) completing a 12-wk CR program between January 1996 and March 2016, with follow-up through March 2017. Patients were stratified by the presence of multimorbidity, which was defined as having a diagnosis of ≥2 noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the effects of multimorbidity and CRF on mortality in patients completing CR. Symptom-limited exercise tests were completed at baseline, immediately following CR (12 wk), with a subgroup completing another test at 1-yr follow-up. Peak metabolic equivalents (METs) were determined from treadmill speed and grade.

Results: 

Of the 8320 patients (61 ± 10 yr, 82% male) included in the analyses, 5713 (69%) patients only had CVD diagnosis, 2232 (27%) had CVD+1 NCD, and 375 (4%) had CVD+≥2 NCDs. Peak METs at baseline (7.8 ± 2.0, 6.9 ± 2.0, 6.1 ± 1.9 METs), change in peak METs immediately following CR (0.98 ± 0.98, 0.83 ± 0.95, 0.76 ± 0.95 METs), and change in peak METs 1 yr after CR (0.98 ± 1.27, 0.75 ± 1.17, 0.36 ± 1.24 METs) were different (P < .001) among the subgroups. Peak METs at 12 wk and the presence of coexisting conditions were each predictors (P < .001) of mortality. Improvements in CRF by ≥0.5 METS from baseline to 1-yr follow-up among patients with or without multimorbidity were associated with lower mortality rates.

Conclusion: 

Increasing CRF by ≥0.5 METs improves survival regardless of multimorbidity status.

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