Cardiac rehabilitation availability and delivery in Europe: How does it differ by region and compare with other high-income countries?: Endorsed by the European Association of Preventive Cardiology

Ana Abreu, Ella Pesah, Marta Supervia, Karam Turk-Adawi, Birna Bjarnason-Wehrens, Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, Marco Ambrosetti, Karl Andersen, Vojislav Giga, Dusko Vulic, Eleonora Vataman, Dan Gaita, Jacqueline Cliff, Evangelia Kouidi, Ilker Yagci, Attila Simon, Arto Hautala, Egle Tamuleviciute-Prasciene, Hareld Kemps, Zbigniew EysymonttStefan Farsky, Jo Hayward, Eva Prescott, Susan Dawkes, Bruno Pavy, Anna Kiessling, Eliska Sovova, Sherry L Grace

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study were to establish cardiac rehabilitation availability and density, as well as the nature of programmes, and to compare these by European region (geoscheme) and with other high-income countries. Methods: A survey was administered to cardiac rehabilitation programmes globally. Cardiac associations were engaged to facilitate programme identification. Density was computed using global burden of disease study ischaemic heart disease incidence estimates. Four high-income countries were selected for comparison (N = 790 programmes) to European data, and multilevel analyses were performed. Results: Cardiac rehabilitation was available in 40/44 (90.9%) European countries. Data were collected in 37 (94.8% country response rate). A total of 455/1538 (29.6% response rate) programme respondents initiated the survey. Programme volumes (median 300) were greatest in western European countries, but overall were higher than in other high-income countries (P <0.001). Across all Europe, there was on average only 1 CR spot per 7 IHD patients, with an unmet regional need of 3,449,460 spots annually. Most programmes were funded by social security (n = 25, 59.5%; with significant regional variation, P <0.001), but in 72 (16.0%) patients paid some or all of the programme costs (or ∼18.5% of the ∼€150.0/programme) out of pocket. Guideline-indicated conditions were accepted in 70% or more of programmes (lower for stable coronary disease), with no regional variation. Programmes had a multidisciplinary team of 6.5 ± 3.0 staff (number and type varied regionally; and European programmes had more staff than other high-income countries), offering 8.5 ± 1.5/10 core components (consistent with other high-income countries) over 24.8 ± 26.0 hours (regional differences, P <0.05). Conclusion: European cardiac rehabilitation capacity must be augmented. Where available, services were consistent with guidelines, but varied regionally.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean journal of preventive cardiology
Volume26
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)1131-1146
Number of pages16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.07.2019

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