title: The prognostic effect of cardiac rehabilitation in the era of acute revascularisation and statin therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized studies - The Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcome Study (CROS).
abstract: Background The prognostic effect of multi-component cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in the modern era of statins and acute revascularisation remains controversial. Focusing on actual clinical practice, the aim was to evaluate the effect of CR on total mortality and other clinical endpoints after an acute coronary event. Design Structured review and meta-analysis. Methods Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), retrospective controlled cohort studies (rCCSs) and prospective controlled cohort studies (pCCSs) evaluating patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or mixed populations with coronary artery disease (CAD) were included, provided the index event was in 1995 or later. Results Out of n = 18,534 abstracts, 25 studies were identified for final evaluation (RCT: n = 1; pCCS: n = 7; rCCS: n = 17), including n = 219,702 patients (after ACS: n = 46,338; after CABG: n = 14,583; mixed populations: n = 158,781; mean follow-up: 40 months). Heterogeneity in design, biometrical assessment of results and potential confounders was evident. CCSs evaluating ACS patients showed a significantly reduced mortality for CR participants (pCCS: hazard ratio (HR) 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20-0.69; rCCS: HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.49-0.84; odds ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.48), but the single RCT fulfilling Cardiac Rehabilitation Outcome Study (CROS) inclusion criteria showed neutral results. CR participation was also associated with reduced mortality after CABG (rCCS: HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.54-0.70) and in mixed CAD populations. Conclusions CR participation after ACS and CABG is associated with reduced mortality even in the modern era of CAD treatment. However, the heterogeneity of study designs and CR programmes highlights the need for defining internationally accepted standards in CR delivery and scientific evaluation.
authors: 1 Institut für Herzinfarktforschung Ludwigshafen, Germany.
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Rauch
authors: 2 Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, Greece.
authors: Constantinos H
authors: CH
authors: Davos
authors: 3 Department of Health Sciences, University of York, UK.
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Doherty
authors: 4 Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics (IMBI), University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Saure
authors: 5 Cochrane Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders Group, Institute of General Practice, University of Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors: Maria-Inti
authors: MI
authors: Metzendorf
authors: 6 Centre of Rehabilitation Research, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors: Annett
authors: A
authors: Salzwedel
authors: 6 Centre of Rehabilitation Research, University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors: Heinz
authors: H
authors: Völler
authors: 4 Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics (IMBI), University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Jensen
authors: 7 Department of Cardiology Spital Tiefenau, Switzerland.
authors: Jean-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Schmid
mesh_terms: D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: Rehabilitation; acute coronary syndrome; coronary artery disease; coronary bypass grafting; hospital readmission; mortality