title: [Clinical and organizational problems related to cardiological rehabilitation units].
abstract: The characteristics of patients admitted to cardiac rehabilitation units have progressively changed and are now represented by older age and clinical instability, with a higher percentage of females than in the past. Moreover, the demand of admission to cardiac rehabilitation departments has increased as a consequence of the extension of cardiac surgical procedures to older patients with frequent comorbidity. At the same time, the need of a shorter hospitalization in the acute hospital units has contributed to more frequent requests for cardiac rehabilitation admission. Cost factors and problems of organization have also contributed to the typology of the patients now admitted for cardiac rehabilitation. The data of patients admitted to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit of the Don Gnocchi Hospital in Milan are reported too: these data confirm the actual change in the typology of patients with respect to the past; the possible explanations and reasons, as well as the increased average age of the population and the increased number of surgical interventions in the elderly and females are also evaluated. Moreover, the programs and the rehabilitative aims have been consequently changed. Finally, even the use of non-invasive alternatives to ergometric tests is here discussed.
authors.affiliation: U.O. di Cardiologia Riabilitativa Centro IRCCS S. Maria Nascente Fondazione Don Gnocchi-ONLUS Via Capecelatro, 66 20148 Milano. cardiologia@dongnocchi.it
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferratini
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Racca
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavanelli
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heyman
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Comerio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pezzano
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gara
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spezzaferri
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brambilla
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012737:Sex Factors