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Cardiac Rehabilitation After Hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndrome

  • Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes (H Jneid, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) carries a high burden of morbidity and mortality. Cardiac rehabilitation over the past century has developed as an important tool in treating and preventing future myocardial infarction events in this critical group. We summarize the rationale and literature evidence supporting the use of cardiac rehabilitation and its role in ACS patients, with an emphasis on its impact on outcomes following hospitalization.

Recent Findings

Current literature and large-scale reviews and registry analyses provide conflicting data on the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation after ACS, including its impact on mortality, readmission, and quality of life.

Summary

Cardiac rehabilitation is an important tool in the management ACS patients. It encompasses not only a graduated exercise regimen but also a holistic approach and is therefore best implemented as a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation strategy including, in addition to exercise regimen, psychosocial counseling, smoking cessation education, medication adherence, nutrition guidance, and other tools for risk modification. Further trials on the role of cardiac rehabilitation after ACS are needed, especially trials examining different cardiac rehabilitation protocols, time period for its implementation after ACS, and optimal program duration.

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Abbreviations

ACS:

Acute coronary syndrome

NSTEMI:

Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction

STEMI:

ST elevation myocardial infarction

ACC:

American College of Cardiology

AHA:

American Heart Association

SCAI:

Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions

RR:

Risk Ratio

CI:

Confidence interval

RAMIT:

The Rehabilitation after Myocardial Infarction Trial

HR:

Hazard ratio

OR:

Odds ratio

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA

    Ravi Thakker, Mahin Khan & Bashar Al-Hemyari

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  1. Ravi Thakker
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  2. Mahin Khan
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All authors contributed to the conception, drafting, and review of this manuscript and meet ICJME criteria for authorship.

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Correspondence to Bashar Al-Hemyari.

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Thakker, R., Khan, M. & Al-Hemyari, B. Cardiac Rehabilitation After Hospitalization for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Curr Cardiol Rep 25, 1699–1703 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-023-02010-5

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