Supervía, Marta

Abstract Aims To characterize global variation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) staffing, indications, and prescribed dose by country income classification and compare findings with the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation’s 2016 Global Audit. Methods and results Cross-sectional REDCap survey of Phase II/post-discharge CR programmes (May–September 2025). Outcomes were multidisciplinary team size/composition, accepted cardiac and non-cardiac indications, and centre-based CR dose. Comparisons were made across World Bank country income classifications and Audit decade (2016 vs. 2025). Of 7025 programmes identified globally, 1505 (median programme response rate = 62%/country) initiated a survey, from 90/113 (80%) countries with CR. CR was delivered by a multidisciplinary team of 7 (median; P25–P75 = 5–8; nurses, physiotherapists, cardiologists, and dietitians most common); teams were smaller in low-income countries (median = 4; P < 0.001), and physician specialty varied. Non-low-income programmes consistently accepted (≥90%) patients with acute coronary syndrome, with programmes in low-income countries less often accepting related interventions (e.g. surgery: low-income 0% vs. high-income 97%; P < 0.01), but non-cardiac indications were more frequently accepted (e.g. primary prevention, diabetes, and lung disease). Acceptance of heart failure increased compared with the previous Audit (70% vs. 87%; P < 0.001). Centre-based programmes prescribed a median of 20 h (P25–P75 = 12–30), typically two sessions/week over 8 weeks. Globally, 65 (72%) countries prescribed a median ≥12 sessions/programme. Programmes in upper-middle-income countries prescribed more sessions (median = 24, P25–P75 = 12–36; P < 0.001). Dose did not differ meaningfully between Audits (P = 0.07). Conclusion CR programmes globally are offered by small, but multidisciplinary teams. They accept guideline-indicated patients, with applicable variation by context. Insufficient dose in one-quarter of countries underscores investment need.

Acute type A aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency surgery and complex postoperative management. Although survival rates have improved, many patients experience long-term functional impairments, reduced quality of life, and an elevated risk of complications. Despite strong evidence supporting cardiac rehabilitation in other cardiovascular populations, structured programs remain underutilized in patients with surgically resolved acute type A aortic dissection. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation appears feasible and can be delivered safely in carefully selected patients when appropriately adapted to individual needs and conducted under close supervision. Postoperative patients are often physically deconditioned, prone to hospital-acquired disability, and may misjudge exercise intensity. Therefore, individualized exercise prescription, guided by exercise testing when available, is important to support safe training thresholds. Early and gradual introduction of physical activity may help prevent complications associated with immobility, support blood pressure control, and contribute to improvements in functional capacity. However, training volume should be purposefully lower than in conventional program settings to reduce hemodynamic stress. Education on safe exercise parameters and self-monitoring plays a central role in enabling long-term adherence and promoting patient autonomy. Cardiac rehabilitation programs should incorporate dietary, nutritional, and psychological support. Although evidence specific to this patient population remains limited, available data suggest the feasibility and potential benefits of cardiac rehabilitation when delivered with appropriate precautions. Our review underscores the need for a tailored, multidisciplinary CR approach aimed at enhancing physical recovery, supporting cardiovascular stability, and improving overall quality of life in patients following surgery. Further research is required to define optimal program protocols.

Purpose: Literature on early mobilization and exercise training in patients recovering from acute heart failure (AHF) is promising. However, there lacks uniformity in the time of initiation, exercise prescription, safety criteria, and termination criteria. Thus, the aim was to develop a mobilization algorithm for patients recovering from AHF. Methods: A modified web-based Delphi process was undertaken involving 15 panelists from across the globe. In Round 1, new variables, modifications to suggested variables, and agreement-disagreement within the panelists were obtained. In Round 2, agreement on a 5-point Likert scale was obtained. In Round 3, the algorithm was compiled, and excluded statements were discussed via web-based calls. The new variables were grouped into themes via an inductive process. The level of agreement and rating for each statement were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentages. We used Kappa statistics to examine the level of agreement between the panelists for each criterion. The consensus criterion was defined a priori as statements with a mean rating of ≥4 on the 5-point Likert scale by ≥70% of the panelists and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance ( W ) of ≥0.3 between panelists. Results: From Round 1, 54 new variables were obtained. More than two-thirds (118/170, 69%) of statements reached consensus and reported a fair level of agreement between panelists ( W ≥ 0.3). The final algorithm with all its criteria received a 100% (13/13) consensus. Conclusion: Physician-referral criteria, physiotherapy assessment process, exercise prescription, safety criteria, and termination criteria were formulated for early mobilization and exercise training for patients recovering from AHF.

Background Extended sedentary behavior is a risk factor for chronic disease and mortality, even among those who exercise regularly. Given the time constraints of incorporating physical activity into daily schedules, and the high likelihood of sitting during office work, this environment may serve as a potentially feasible setting for interventions to reduce sedentary behavior. Methods and Results A randomized cross‐over clinical trial was conducted at an employee wellness center. Four office settings were evaluated on 4 consecutive days: stationary or sitting station on day 1 (referent), and 3 subsequent active workstations (standing, walking, or stepper) in randomized order. Neurocognitive function (Selective Attention, Grammatical Reasoning, Odd One Out, Object Reasoning, Visuospatial Intelligence, Limited‐Hold Memory, Paired Associates Learning, and Digit Span) and fine motor skills (typing speed and accuracy) were tested using validated tools. Average scores were compared among stations using linear regression with generalized estimating equations to adjust standard errors. Bonferroni method adjusted for multiple comparisons. Healthy subjects were enrolled (n=44), 28 (64%) women, mean±SD age 35±11 years, weight 75.5±17.1 kg, height 168.5±10.0 cm, and body mass index 26.5±5.2 kg/m 2 . When comparing active stations to sitting, neurocognitive test either improved or remained unchanged, while typing speed decreased without affecting typing errors. Overall results improved after day 1, suggesting habituation. We observed no major differences across active stations, except decrease in average typing speed 42.5 versus 39.7 words per minute with standing versus stepping ( P =0.003). Conclusions Active workstations improved cognitive performance, suggesting that these workstations can help decrease sedentary time without work performance impairment. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT06240286.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is scantly available in Iran, although it is the cost-benefit strategy in cardiac patients, It has not been established how CR is delivered within Iran. This study aimed to determine: (a) availability, density and unmet need for CR, and (b) nature of CR services in Iran by province. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional sub-study of the global CR audit, program availability was determined through cardiovascular networks. An online survey was then disseminated to these programs in June 2016–2017 which assessed capacity and characteristics; a paper-based survey was disseminated in 2018 to nonresponding and any new programs. CR density and need was computed based on annual incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in each province. Results: Of the 31 provinces, 12 (38.7%) had CR services. There were 30 programs nationally, all in capital cities; of these, programs in 9 (75.0%) provinces, specifically 22 (73.3%) programs, participated. The national CR density is 1 spot per 7 incident AMI patients/year. Unmet need is greatest in Khuzestan, Tehran and west Azerbaijan, with 44,816 more spots needed/year. Most programs assessed cardiovascular risk factors, and offered comprehensive services, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team, comprised chiefly of nurses, dietitians and cardiologists. Median dose is 14 sessions/program in supervised programs. A third of programs offered home-based services. Conclusion: Where programs do exist in IRAN, they are generally delivered in accordance with guidelines. Therefore, we must increase capacity in CR services in all provinces to improve secondary prevention services.

Background There is wide variability in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) dose (ie, number of sessions) delivered, and no evidence‐based recommendations regarding what dose to prescribe. We aimed to test what CR dose impacts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods and Results This is an historical cohort study of all patients who had coronary artery disease and who initiated supervised CR between 2002 and 2012 from a single major CR center. CR dose was defined as number of visits including exercise and patient education. Follow‐up was performed using record linkage from the Rochester Epidemiology Project. MACEs included acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ventricular arrhythmias, stroke, revascularization, or all‐cause mortality. Dose was analyzed in several ways, including tertiles, categories, and as a continuous variable. Cox models were adjusted for factors associated with dose and MACE. The cohort consisted of 2345 patients, who attended a mean of 12.5±11.1 of 36 prescribed sessions. After a mean follow‐up of 6 years, 695 (29.65%) patients had a MACE, including 231 who died. CR dose was inversely associated with MACE (hazard ratio, 0.66 [95% CI]; 0.55–0.91) in those completing ≥20 sessions, when compared with those not exposed to formal exercise sessions (≤1 session; log‐rank P =0.007). We did not find evidence of nonlinearity ( P ≥0.050), suggesting no minimal threshold nor ceiling. Each additional session was associated with a lower rate of MACE (fully adjusted hazard ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.97–0.99]). Greater session frequency was also associated with lower MACE risk (fully adjusted hazard ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.58–0.94]). Conclusions CR reduces MACEs, but the benefit appears to be linear, with greater risk reduction with higher doses, and no upper threshold.

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a chronic disease associated with fluid accumulation in the interstitial tissue. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) plays a role in reducing lymphoedema, like intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC). By the present pilot study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a synergistic treatment with MLD and IPC in reducing lower limb lymphedema in T2DM patients. Materials and Methods: Adults with a clinical diagnosis of T2DM and lower limb lymphedema (stage II–IV) were recruited from July to December 2020. Study participants were randomized into two groups: experimental group, undergoing a 1-month rehabilitative program consisting of MLD and IPC (with a compression of 60 to 80 mmHg); control group, undergoing MLD and a sham IPC (with compression of <30 mmHg). The primary outcome was the lower limb lymphedema reduction, assessed by the circumferential method (CM). Secondary outcomes were: passive range of motion (pROM) of hip, knee, and ankle; quality of life; laboratory exams as fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. At baseline (T0) and at the end of the 1-month rehabilitative treatment (T1), all the outcome measures were assessed, except for the Hb1Ac evaluated after three months. Results: Out of 66 T2DM patients recruited, only 30 respected the eligibility criteria and were randomly allocated into 2 groups: experimental group (n = 15; mean age: 54.2 ± 4.9 years) and control group (n = 15; mean age: 54.0 ± 5.5 years). At the intra-group analysis, the experimental group showed a statistically significant improvement of all outcome measures (p < 0.05). The between-group analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in pROM of the hip, knee, ankle, EQ-VAS, and EQ5D3L index at T1. Conclusions: A multimodal approach consisting of IPC and MLD showed to play a role in reducing lower limb lymphedema, with an increase of pROM and HRQoL. Since these are preliminary data, further studies are needed.