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Biomedical subjects

F J Pashkow

Publications and source records attributed to F J Pashkow.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Age and referral to coronary angiography after an abnormal treadmill thallium test.

This study investigated the association between age and referral to coronary angiography among ambulatory adults with an abnormal treadmill thallium scan. The subjects studied were 416 consecutive adults who were > or = 30 years old, under the care of cardiologists, and had an abnormal treadmill thallium scan between 1990 and 1993 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The primary end point was performance of coronary angiography within 90 days of the treadmill test. Coronary angiography was performed in 163 subjects. Coronary angiography was performed in 46% of patients aged 30-49 years, in 53% of those aged 50 to 64 years, in 33% of those aged 65 to 74 years, and in only 18% of those aged > or = 75 years (chi2 test for trend, p < 0.0001). After adjustment for potential confounders, age remained associated with a lower rate of referral to angiography (p < 0.0001). During 2 years of follow-up 34 deaths occurred (14 cardiac), with particularly high mortality rates among those aged >74 years (cumulative rate 31%, 95% confidence interval 16% to 47%). The number of abnormal thallium scan segments was predictive of death (p = 0.02). These data suggest that increasing age is associated with a lower rate of referral to coronary angiography after an abnormal treadmill thallium test.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sex and diagnostic evaluation of possible coronary artery disease after exercise treadmill testing at one academic teaching center.

Controversy exists as to whether a sex bias exists that affects the diagnostic approach to suspected coronary artery disease: previous studies have used coronary angiography, but not other noninvasive testing, as a primary end point. This investigation examined posttest sex differences in diagnostic evaluation after exercise treadmill testing according to a broader end point than just coronary angiography alone. The design was a cohort analytic study with a 90-day follow-up. The study was done at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, an academic group practice. Patients included consecutive adults (1023 men and 579 women) with chest pain but no documented coronary disease who were referred for symptom-limited exercise treadmill testing without adjunctive imaging; none had undergone prior invasive cardiac procedures. Main outcome measures included (1) performance of any subsequent diagnostic study (invasive or noninvasive) and (2) performance of coronary angiography as the next diagnostic study. During follow-up, 89 (8.7%) men and 48 (8.3%) women underwent a second diagnostic study (odds ratio 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.66 to 1.37; p > 0.8), whereas 64 (6.3%) men and 21 (3.6%) women went straight to coronary angiography (odds ratio 0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.34 to 0.93; p = 0.02). In multivariable logistic regression analyses, which considered baseline clinical characteristics, the ST-segment response, and other prognostically important exercise responses, women tended to be less likely than men to be referred to any second test (adjusted odds ratio 0.70; 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 1.19; p > 0.1) but were markedly and significantly less likely to be referred straight to coronary angiography (adjusted odds ratio 0.33; 95% confidence interval 0.17 to 0.65). After exercise treadmill testing, women were only slightly less likely than men to be referred for subsequent diagnostic testing; they were, however, much less likely to be referred straight to coronary angiography as opposed to another noninvasive study.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1997

Importance of estimated functional capacity as a predictor of all-cause mortality among patients referred for exercise thallium single-photon emission computed tomography: report of 3,400 patients from a single center.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the relative influence of estimated functional capacity and thallium-201 (Tl-201) single-photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) findings on prediction of short-term all-cause and cardiac-related mortality. BACKGROUND: Decreased functional capacity and abnormal Tl-201 SPECT findings are predictive of increased cardiovascular risk and mortality. However, the relative importance of these variables as predictors of all-cause mortality is not well established. METHODS: Analyses were based on 3,400 consecutive adults undergoing symptom-limited exercise Tl-201 SPECT testing at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation between September 1990 and December 1993; none had previous invasive procedures, heart failure or valve disease. Estimated functional capacity, classified by age and gender, and thallium perfusion defects, expressed as a stress extent thallium score on a 12-segment scale, were analyzed to determine their relative prognostic importance during 2 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Of 3,400 patients, 108 (3.2%) died during follow-up; 32 deaths were identified as cardiac related. On univariable analysis, estimated functional capacity was a strong predictor of death, with 62 (57%) deaths occurring in patients achieving < 6 metabolic equivalents (METs) (log-rank chi-square 86, p < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, the strongest independent predictors of all-cause mortality were fair or poor functional capacity (adjusted relative risk [RR] 3.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.36 to 6.64, chi-square 27, p < 0.0001) and age (adjusted RR for 10 years 2.25, 95% CI 1.80 to 2.80, chi-square 27, p < 0.0001). The presence of SPECT thallium perfusion defects was a less powerful predictor of death (for each two additional segments with defects, adjusted RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.43, chi-square 5, p = 0.02). Cardiac mortality was predicted by both fair or poor functional capacity (adjusted RR 4.37, 95% CI 1.59 to 12.00, chi-square 8, p = 0.004) and by stress extent thallium score (adjusted RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.11, chi-square 13, p = 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: In this clinically low risk group, estimated functional capacity was a strong and overwhelmingly important independent predictor of all-cause mortality among patients undergoing exercise Tl-201 SPECT testing. The extent of myocardial perfusion defects was of comparable importance for the prediction of cardiac mortality.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Exercise testing and training in patients with malignant arrhythmias.

Patients with malignant arrhythmias are a challenge when they present to the laboratory for exercise testing and training. The complex metabolic and electrophysiological changes that occur during and after exercise may suppress or potentiate arrhythmias and alter the efficacy and safety of antiarrhythmic agents. The presence of an ICD adds a level of complexity to the study; however, a general understanding of how ICDs function and a review of the programmed parameters before the study will result in a lesser likelihood of complication and more efficient and appropriate action, should a complication occur. Exercise testing and training are valuable methods for the evaluation and treatment of patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. Exercise testing is a useful adjunctive technique in the exposure of arrhythmia and the evaluation of the efficacy and proarrhythmic potential of antiarrhythmic agents. These patients are excellent candidates for rehabilitation and exercise training programs, which may result in increased functional capacity and improved quality of life. With this knowledge and adherence to the appropriate guidelines for patient selection and testing, exercise testing and training of patients with malignant arrhythmias can be prescribed and conducted in a safe, controlled manner in an atmosphere of confidence and professionalism.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗
PubMed1996

Gender and referral for coronary angiography after treadmill thallium testing.

Considerable controversy exists regarding whether women are less likely than men to be referred to coronary angiography after an abnormal noninvasive test. This prospective cohort study analyzed consecutive subjects (2,351 men and 1,318 women) with no prior history of invasive cardiac procedures who were referred for treadmill thallium testing at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The primary end point was performance of coronary angiography within 90 days of treadmill thallium testing. A secondary end point was all-cause mortality during 1.8 years of follow-up. Women were less likely than men to undergo coronary angiography (6% vs 14%, odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.33 to 0.54, p < 0.001), but were also less likely to have an abnormal thallium scan (8% vs 29%, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analyses with adjustment for thallium result and age, women were as likely as men to be referred for coronary angiography (adjusted OR 1.00, 95% Cl 0.75 to 1.34, p > 0.9). Women were less likely to have severe coronary disease on angiography (15% vs 30%, p = 0.006). During 1.8 years of follow-up there were 26 deaths (2%) among women and 84 deaths (4%) among men. After adjusting for age, thallium abnormalities, and clinical characteristics in Cox regression analyses, women had a lower mortality rate than men (relative risk 0.58, 95% Cl 0.36 to 0.94, p = 0.03). Thus, gender-related differences in referral for coronary angiography after treadmill thallium testing can be explained by a higher rate of abnormal tests in men. No evidence of a post-test gender bias was detected, but a pretest bias affecting referral to nuclear testing cannot be excluded. Furthermore, women have a lower prevalence of severe coronary disease and a lower adjusted mortality rate.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Chronotropic response to exercise predicts angiographic severity in patients with suspected or stable coronary artery disease.

Inappropriate chronotropic response to exercise has been observed to correlate with poor prognosis in patients with coronary disease, but the mechanism for this association is not well defined. We attempted to examine the association between chronotropic response to exercise and angiographic severity of coronary disease in patients with suspected or stable coronary artery disease. The chronotropic response, expressed as peak heart rate, chronotropic index (ratio of heart rate reserve and metabolic reserve utilized), or percent maximal heart rate achieved, was correlated with angiographic findings obtained within 180 days of the test. Significant coronary disease was defined as > or = 1 stenosis of > or = 50% in a major epicardial artery or its main branches; severe coronary disease was defined as > or = 50% stenosis in all 3 epicardial arteries, or in the left main coronary trunk, or 2-vessel disease with > or = 70% proximal left anterior descending artery stenosis. We observed that peak heart rate and percent maximal heart rate achieved were independent negative predictors of both significant and severe coronary disease by logistic regression. The chronotropic index predicted severe coronary disease only. All 3 parameters of chronotropic response exhibited a significant gradient of abnormality across the spectrum of coronary disease (p < 0.01 for all), expressed by the number of vessels involved and correlated with left anterior descending artery involvement (p < 0.05 for all). We conclude that chronotropic response to exercise predicts the presence and angiographic severity of coronary disease. This association is likely related to the proportion of left ventricular myocardium rendered ischemic during stress.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Influence of left ventricular hypertrophy on detection of coronary artery disease using exercise echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the influence of left ventricular hypertrophy on the accuracy of exercise electrocardiography and echocardiography for detection of coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic repolarization abnormalities caused by left ventricular hypertrophy compromise the diagnostic accuracy of exercise electrocardiography but not of exercise echocardiography. The relative merits of these investigations are less well defined in patients with hypertrophy but without electrocardiographic (ECG) changes. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 147 consecutive patients without prior myocardial infarction undergoing both exercise echocardiography and coronary arteriography. Coronary stenoses > 50% diameter were present in 62 patients (42%). Positive test results were defined by a new or worsening wall motion abnormality or > 0.1 mV of ST depression. Echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (mass > 131 g/m2 in men, > 100 g/m2 in women) was identified in 68 patients. A subgroup with clinically suspected hypertrophy was defined according to the presence of ECG evidence of hypertrophy, hypertension or aortic stenosis. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of exercise echocardiography exceeded that of exercise electrocardiography (71% vs. 54%, p = 0.06). Echocardiographic hypertrophy had no significant effect on the sensitivity of either test. The specificity of exercise echocardiography exceeded that of exercise electrocardiography (91 vs. 74%, p = 0.01). In patients with hypertrophy, the specificity of exercise echocardiography exceeded that of exercise electrocardiography (95% vs. 69%, p < 0.01), whereas among patients without hypertrophy, the specificities (respectively, 87% and 78%) were more comparable. The accuracy of exercise echocardiography exceeded that of the exercise ECG in the overall group (82% vs. 65%, p = 0.002) and in patients with hypertrophy (85% vs. 60%, p = 0.004), but this difference was less prominent in patients without hypertrophy (80% vs. 69%, p = NS). In patients with clinically suspected hypertrophy, exercise echocardiography demonstrated a higher sensitivity, specificity and accuracy than exercise electrocardiography. The cost incurred in the identification of coronary disease was least with a strategy involving use of the exercise echocardiogram instead of routine exercise testing in patients with known or clinically suspected left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise echocardiography is more accurate than exercise electrocardiography for the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with known or clinically suspected left ventricular hypertrophy.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Angiographic and prognostic implications of an exaggerated exercise systolic blood pressure response and rest systolic blood pressure in adults undergoing evaluation for suspected coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the angiographic and prognostic implications of an exaggerated systolic blood pressure response to exercise ("exercise hypertension") in adults undergoing evaluation for suspected coronary artery disease. BACKGROUND: The clinical implications of exercise hypertension are unclear. METHODS: Subjects for this prospective cohort study were derived from a consecutive sample of 9,608 adults who were referred for treadmill testing and who augmented their systolic blood pressure by at least 10 mm Hg. There were 594 subjects who underwent coronary angiography within 90 days of treadmill testing. Exercise hypertension was defined as a peak exercise systolic blood pressure > or = 210 mm Hg in men and > or = 190 mm Hg in women. Severe angiographic coronary disease was defined as left main coronary artery disease (> or = 50% diameter stenosis), three-vessel disease (> or = 70% diameter stenosis) or two-vessel disease with > or = 70% diameter stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. All-cause mortality was assessed during a follow-up period of approximately 2 years. RESULTS: Exercise hypertension was present in 196 subjects (33%). Severe coronary disease was less common in subjects with exercise hypertension (14% vs. 25%, odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32 to 0.81, p = 0.004). Exercise hypertension remained associated with a lower rate of severe coronary disease even after adjusting for rest hypertension, age, gender, exercise capacity and other possible confounders. During the follow-up period, there were 23 deaths; only 2 occurred in the group with exercise hypertension. After adjusting for severity of coronary disease, exercise hypertension remained associated with a lower mortality rate (adjusted relative risk 0.20, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.84, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In adults evaluated for coronary artery disease, exercise hypertension is associated with a lower likelihood of angiographically severe disease and a lower adjusted mortality rate.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1995

Rehabilitation in the patient after myocardial infarction with or without surgical management.

Cardiac rehabilitation has evolved into a composite therapy of exercise training, psychosocial support, and education with major goals of returning patients to normalcy after an acute coronary event such as myocardial infarction or coronary bypass surgery. This process seems especially important in patients with significant levels of deconditioning before entering therapy. Survival is improved with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality after myocardial infarction of as much as 20% to 30%. Cardiac rehabilitation for the surgical patient today is additionally important with shortening length of stay, and with regard to the prevention of recurrent disease. Modification of risk factors in patients with known coronary disease has especially meaningful implications for the bypass patient. The percentage of patients returning for second, and even third coronary bypass operations continues to increase. Recent studies suggest the possibility of slowing, and in some cases actual arrest or regression of coronary atherosclerosis, in addition to the reduction of subsequent acute coronary events and the need for future revascularization. Other issues of potential importance include quality of life, return to work after bypass surgery, and noncardiac complications of surgery.

Exercise Therapy↗
PubMed1994

Implantable left ventricular assist device. Approaching an alternative for end-stage heart failure. Implantable LVAD Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) was designed to provide circulatory support as an alternative to heart transplantation or to continued medical therapy of end-stage heart failure. Initial experience with the implantable LVAD used as a bridge to heart transplantation provides a clinical opportunity to study the function of the device and adaptation by the patient. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nineteen heart transplant candidates (mean age, 50 years; 17 males) underwent insertion of the HeartMate LVAD as a bridge to heart transplantation from December 1991 to November 1993. All patients were in cardiogenic shock on inotropes, and 16 (84%) were on an intra-aortic balloon pump. Three patients died because of multiple organ failure; all had right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (2 required RV assist devices). Sixteen patients (84%) improved markedly and were rehabilitated to New York Heart Association functional class I-II. Three patients are still on support. Significant improvements in hemodynamic function (based on analysis of the percent change from pre-LVAD condition to pretransplantation) were observed: cardiac index rose from 1.6 +/- 0.2 to 3.2 +/- 0.9 L/min per m2 (P = .0002), left atrial pressure fell from 22.9 +/- 9.5 to 8.0 +/- 5.5 mm Hg (P = .003), RV ejection fraction increased from 19.8 +/- 11.3% to 40.8 +/- 8.9% (P = .0004), pulmonary vascular resistance decreased from 5.2 +/- 2.6 to 2.0 +/- 0.8 Wood units (P = .004). Thirteen patients had successful transplants after a mean duration of 66 days on the LVAD (range, 22 to 101 days). There were no thromboembolic events while the patients were on the LVAD. Only aspirin with dipyridamole was given for anticoagulation during a total of > 1100 patient days of support. CONCLUSIONS: Bridge to transplant implantable LVAD experience indicates that hemodynamic improvement should be significant after insertion of the devices and that the risk of thromboembolic events with the HeartMate LVAD should be extremely low. Rehabilitation and quality of life should be markedly improved. Limitations of extrapolating this clinical experience to the permanent implantable LVAD include that these patients were hospitalized (permanent implants will be outpatients); the "vented-electric" HeartMate LVAD was not tested (it is a portable, battery-powered device), and true "chronic" LVAD support (> 1 year) was not tested, so questions regarding long-term device reliability and the chronic risk of infection are unknown.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1993

Issues in contemporary cardiac rehabilitation: a historical perspective.

Cardiac rehabilitation consists of exercise, psychosocial support and education and is prescribed most often for patients with coronary heart disease. Its purpose is to facilitate readaptation to normal life through the achievement of maximal functional capability and to reduce heart disease risk factors. It began historically with progressive ambulation after myocardial infarction and by 1980 became a standardized inpatient therapy performed according to a stepped procedure. Predischarge exercise testing was added and has become a meaningful contribution to the concept of risk stratification after an acute coronary event. Rehabilitation has subsequently become part of the outpatient environment and is delivered by multiple models. Meta-analyses have shown that rehabilitation reduces overall and cardiovascular deaths by about 20% and sudden death by about 37% during the year after an acute myocardial infarction. The significance of this, however, must now be modulated by the dynamic role of aggressive coronary intervention. Selection for such intervention has become an important adjunctive aspect of rehabilitation. Newer findings suggest that those stratified at low risk will benefit most by the modification of coronary risk factors, and that patients previously thought to be poor candidates for rehabilitation (such as those with significant left ventricular dysfunction and low work capacity) may experience substantial relative functional benefit. Beyond risk stratification, important contemporary issues include surveillance of patients after angioplasty, the effectiveness of rehabilitation in the attenuation or reversal of both native and vein graft atherosclerosis and consideration of such currently emphasized end points as quality of life and economic evaluation.

Bed Rest↗
PubMed1992

Accuracy and limitations of exercise echocardiography in a routine clinical setting.

Despite the high reported accuracy of exercise echocardiography in the detection of coronary artery disease, factors that compromise its sensitivity and specificity are less clear. This study examined the results of 179 post-treadmill stress echocardiograms in 150 consecutive patients who also underwent cardiac catheterization and in 29 normal persons at low risk for coronary artery disease. Of 114 patients who had significant coronary stenoses at angiography, 96 had an abnormal exercise echocardiogram (overall sensitivity 84%). False negative results correlated with the performance of submaximal exercise, single-vessel disease and moderate (50% to 70% diameter) stenoses. After the exclusion of seven patients performing submaximal exercise, the sensitivity was 90%. In 54 patients without previous infarction performing maximal exercise, the sensitivity was 87%, higher in patients with multivessel coronary disease (96%) than in those with single-vessel disease (79%). After the exclusion of patients with nondiagnostic results, due either to the performance of submaximal stress or the presence of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes at rest, exercise echocardiography had a higher sensitivity than did exercise electrocardiography (87% vs. 63%, p = 0.01). In 36 patients without significant coronary disease, exercise echocardiography had an overall specificity of 86%. After the exclusion of patients with a nondiagnostic test, exercise echocardiography had a specificity of 82% compared with 74% specificity for exercise electrocardiography (p = NS). Similarly, of the 29 normal subjects, 93% had a normal exercise echocardiogram and 97% had a normal exercise ECG (p = NS). Similarly, of the 29 normal subjects, 93% had a normal exercise echocardiogram and 97% had a normal exercise ECG (p = NS). Age, gender, body weight and image quality did not significantly influence the accuracy of exercise echocardiography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transthoracic echocardiography documents prompt resolution of right atrial thrombus after thrombolytic therapy.

Right atrial thrombi represent pulmonary emboli in transit, and they may be fatal in patients treated conservatively with anticoagulation. This case provides an opportunity to review echocardiographic findings and management decisions in this disease entity. As the literature now favors thrombolytic therapy in suitable patients, we present a case in which transthoracic echocardiography provided rapid assessment of the outcome of this form of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Women's patterns of exercise following cardiac rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Studies of long-term exercise maintenance after an acute cardiac event have been conducted almost exclusively with men, and the findings cannot be generalized to women. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify women's exercise patterns and adherence to recommended exercise maintenance after a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. METHOD: Forty women who had a myocardial infarction or had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were recruited through convenience sampling immediately after completion of a phase II CR program. Exercise frequency, duration, and intensity were measured using wristwatch heart rate (HR) monitors during exercise for 3 months. RESULTS: Results indicated that 12 of 40 (30%) women exercised five times or fewer during the 3-month study period. Only 11 women (27.5%) exercised three or more times per week. Women exercised an average of 5.2 sessions within their target HR during the entire study period. Maintenance of exercise dropped consistently during the course of the study. Although 83% of the participating women started exercising during the first month, after 1 month one third of the participants had stopped exercising. During the last week of the study, only 50% of the women were still exercising. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the women are exercising well below the recommended guidelines for exercise after acute cardiac events.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cost-effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation is commonly prescribed after myocardial infarction (MI) to coordinate exercise training and secondary preventive services. Cost-effectiveness analysis allows the quantitative comparison of the relative economic worth of cardiac rehabilitation in relation to other common interventions. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation, in dollars per year of life saved ($/YLS), was calculated by combining published results of randomized trials of cardiac rehabilitation on mortality rates, epidemiologic studies of long-term survival in the overall postinfarction population, and studies of patient charges for rehabilitation services and averted medical expenses for hospitalizations after rehabilitation. RESULTS: Cardiac rehabilitation participants experienced an incremental life expectancy of 0.202 years during a 15-year period. In 1988, the average cost of rehabilitation and exercise testing was $1,485, partially offset by averted cardiac rehospitalizations of $850 per patient. A cost-effectiveness value of 2,130 $/YLS was determined for the late 1980s, projected to a value of 4,950 $/YLS for 1995. A sensitivity analysis supports the study results. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other post-MI treatment interventions, cardiac rehabilitation is more cost-effective than thrombolytic therapy, coronary bypass surgery, and cholesterol lowering drugs, though less cost-effective than smoking cessation programs. Cardiac rehabilitation should stand alongside these therapies as standard of care in the post-MI setting.

Cost Savings↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cardiac rehabilitation participation patterns in a large, tertiary care center: evidence for selection bias.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines have been published for cardiac rehabilitation, directing programs to address secondary risk-reduction issues. The role of risk factor profiles in the referral of patients to cardiac rehabilitation programs has not been evaluated. METHODS: Patients from the Cardiovascular Information Registry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) who entered the CCF hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation program (n = 371) were compared with those who did not participate in the CCF program (n = 2960) with respect to gender, demographics, and risk factor profile for CAD. A random subset of those who did not participate in the CCF program (n = 100) was interviewed by phone to determine participation patterns in other rehabilitation programs. RESULTS: Only 11% of patients participated in CCF-based program. Standard risk factors were similar between participants and nonparticipants. Rehabilitation patients were younger (63 +/- 10 versus 66 +/- 10, P < 0.01) and as a group had better left ventricular function (moderate-severe left ventricle: 16% versus 23%, P < 0.01) than nonparticipants. Women were underrepresented in the CCF rehabilitation population (20% versus 30%, P < 0.01). Of the phone survey sample, 21% of patients entered other community-based rehabilitation programs. Similar trends with respect to risk factors, younger age, and better left ventricular function were noted for the community subset. However, women accounted for a greater percentage of the participants in the community programs than the CCF-based program (42.8% versus 19.7%, P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions based on institution-specific programs likely underestimate overall participation in cardiac rehabilitation. Traditional risk factors apparently are not considered when referring patients to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Younger patients with lower mortality risks preferentially participate in rehabilitation programs. Women are more likely to participate in community-based programs. Overall use of cardiac rehabilitation programs remains low.

Aged↗