title: The Canadian Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry: Inaugural Report on the Status of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Canada.
abstract: Introduction. There are over 200 Cardiovascular Rehabilitation (CR) programs in Canada, providing services to more than 50,000 new patients annually. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of CR in Canada. Methods. A retrospective analysis of Canadian CR Registry data is presented. There were 12 programs participating, with 4546 CR participants. Results. The average wait time between patient referral and CR admission was 68 ± 64 days. Participants were 66.3 ± 11.5 years old, 71% male, and 82% White. The three leading referral events were coronary artery bypass graft surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention, and acute coronary syndrome. At discharge, data were available for ~90% of participants. Significant improvements in blood pressure (systolic pre-CR 123.5 ± 17.0, post-CR 121.5 ± 15.8 mmHg; p < .001), lipids, adiposity, and exercise capacity (peak METs pre-CR 6.5 ± 2.8, post-CR 7.2 ± 3.1; p < .001) were observed. However, target attainment for some risk factors was suboptimal. Conclusions. This report provides the first snapshot of the beneficial effects of CR in Canada. Not all patients are equally represented in these programs, however, leaving room for more referral of diverse patients. Greater attainment of risk reduction targets should be pursued.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, York University, Bethune 368, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3 ; GoodLife Fitness Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, 8e-402, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 2S8.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, 31 George Street, Louise D. Acton Building, Room 208 CEC, Kingston, ON, Canada K7L 3N6.
authors.forename: Trisha L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: Canadian Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, 1390 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 3V8.
authors.forename: Kristal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heise
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise Science, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, SP 165-35, Montreal, QC, Canada H4B 1R6 ; J-135 Centre de Réadaptation Jean-Jacques Gauthier, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montreal, QC, Canada H4J 1C5.
authors.forename: Simon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bacon