Eur J Cardiov Prev R
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Eur J Cardiov Prev R · Oct 2008
Multicenter StudyQuality indicators for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in primary care in nine European countries.
With free movement of labour in Europe, European guidelines on cardiovascular care and the enlargement of the European Union to include countries with disparate health care systems, it is important to develop common quality standards for cardiovascular prevention and risk management across Europe. ⋯ Indicators for the management of established cardiovascular disease have been developed, which can be used to measure the quality of cardiovascular care across a wide range of countries. Less agreement on how the quality of preventive care should be assessed was observed, probably caused by differences in health systems, culture and attitudes to prevention.
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Eur J Cardiov Prev R · Aug 2008
Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide predicts atrial fibrillation during rehabilitation after cardiac surgery.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are known to predict atrial fibrillation (AF) occurrence short-term after cardiac surgery, but no information is available on their predictive potential at a later time point. We evaluated whether BNP levels predict postcardiac surgery AF events occurring during rehabilitation program. AF impact on hospitalization length and rehabilitation program have also been evaluated. ⋯ BNP levels measured at the beginning of the rehabilitation program are independent predictors of late AF after cardiac surgery. These results suggest a more aggressive therapeutical approach during the rehabilitation period in patients with elevated BNP levels who have already experienced AF in the surgical department.
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Eur J Cardiov Prev R · Jun 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialComparative outcome one year after formal cardiac rehabilitation: the effects of a randomized intervention to improve exercise adherence.
Methods to ensure sustained benefits of cardiac rehabilitation need to be explored. The aim was to assess the effect of a home-based intervention (INT) on exercise adherence and risk factors after cardiac rehabilitation. ⋯ Sustained benefits of cardiac rehabilitation can be documented 1 year after both inpatient and outpatient programmes. Self-monitoring of physical activity greatly increased long-term adherence to regular exercise, which in turn was associated with greater improvements of risk factors and quality of life.
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Eur J Cardiov Prev R · Jun 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of darbepoetin-alpha on quality of life and emotional stress in anemic patients with chronic heart failure.
Anemia is a frequent comorbidity in chronic heart failure (CHF) adversely affecting patients' prognosis. Erythropoietin seems to improve exercise capacity in CHF patients. This study investigates the effects of recombinant human erythropoietin analog darbepoetin-alpha on quality of life and emotional stress, evaluated by relevant questionnaires in patients with CHF and anemia. ⋯ Darbepoetin-alpha improves quality of life and emotional stress in CHF patients with anemia, with a parallel increase in exercise capacity.
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Eur J Cardiov Prev R · Jun 2008
Peripheral arterial disease: an underestimated aetiology of exercise intolerance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.
To assess the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease and its implications for exercise limitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. ⋯ The effect of peripheral arterial disease on exercise intolerance in COPD seems to be considerable. Therefore, COPD patients participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme should profit from a systematic search for arterial disease. Arterial dysfunction has to be taken into account in the multidisciplinary treatment of these patients.