Cardiac rehabilitation in very old patients: data from the Italian Survey on Cardiac Rehabilitation-2008 (ISYDE-2008)--official report of the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Epidemiology.
BACKGROUND
Using data from the Italian SurveY on carDiac rEhabilitation-2008 (ISYDE-2008), this study provides insight into the level of implementation of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in very old cardiac patients.


METHODS
Data from 165 CR units were collected online from January 28 to February 10, 2008.


RESULTS
The study cohort consisted of 2,281 patients (66.9 ± 11.8 years): 1,714 (62.4 ± 9.6 years, 78% male) aged<75 years and 567 aged ≥ 75 years (80.8 ± 4.5 years, 59% male). Compared with adults, a higher percentage of older patients were referred to CR programs after cardiac surgery or acute heart failure and showed more acute phase complications and comorbidity. Older patients were less likely discharged to home, more likely transferred to nursing homes, or discharged with social networks activation. Older patients had higher death rate during CR programs (odds ratio = 4.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.6-12.9; p = .004).


CONCLUSIONS
The ISYDE-2008 survey provided a detailed snapshot of CR in very old cardiac patients.
Giallauria
Francesco
F
Department of Clinical Medicine, Cardiovascular, and Immunological Sciences, Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. giallauria@libero.it
Vigorito
Carlo
C
Tramarin
Roberto
R
Fattirolli
Francesco
F
Ambrosetti
Marco
M
De Feo
Stefania
S
Griffo
Raffaele
R
Riccio
Carmine
C
Piepoli
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012955:Societies, Medical