title: Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of a supervised exercise training program on readmissions in patients with myocardial ischemia: a study protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent decades, several studies have assessed the value of cardiac rehabilitation as secondary prevention and have reported substantial reductions in readmissions. However, conclusive evidence is scarce. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a supervised exercise training program for improving percentages of hospital readmission for cardiac causes in patients with myocardial ischemia in the first year after a cardiac event. The effect on all-cause readmission, all-cause mortality, functional capacity, quality of life and adherence to regular exercise is also discussed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to a control group receiving standard care or to an intervention group which, in addition to standard care, will take part in a supervised exercise training program consisting of three hours a week (spread over three alternate days) of supervised exercise training for 10 weeks. Both groups will perform an exercise stress test and a blood test during the first and third month after hospital discharge. The follow-up period will be 12 months after hospital discharge. The primary outcome measures will be the percentage of patients readmitted, total number of readmissions and length of hospitalization for cardiac disease during the first year after hospital discharge, and time to first hospital admission for cardiac disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A representative group of hospitalized patients after myocardial ischemia will be studied in order to provide comprehensive data on the potential impact of a supervised exercise training program on hospital readmission rates.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN57634424.
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Santaularia
authors.forename: Josefina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caminal
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnau
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perramon
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montesinos
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trapé
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abenoza-Guardiola
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guiteras-Val
authors.forename: Tiny
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jaarsma
mesh_terms: D002423:Cause of Death; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000628:therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055502:Secondary Prevention