Rationale:

The role of cardiac rehabilitation in promoting secondary prevention by reducing cardiovascular risk is being increasingly recognized. The objective of this study was to assess if outcomes related to cardiovascular risk reduction can be measured and monitored in a minimally controlled standard outpatient phase II cardiac rehabilitation setting.

Objectives:

1. Identify measures pertaining to cardiovascular risk reduction in a standard outpatient phase II cardiac rehabilitation setting.

2. Perform repeated measures of the identified variables to assess if they can be used as effective measures of cardiovascular risk reduction.

Methodology:

Based on extant literature and retrospective review of records from our program the following variables were identified as representing cardiovascular risk: fasting lipid profile (cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides), resting blood pressure, and obesity measured as body mass index (BMI) The identified variables were monitored in patients enrolling in our program from April 2005 through March 2006 using electronic medical records available at the VA Western New York Healthcare System Hospital(VA-WNYHCS).

Result:

A total of 27 patient were enrolled over a 12 month period. Three assessments were planned pre, post 12 weeks and post 6 months. The mean age of patients at enrollment was 66.4 years. The mean values were: resting blood pressure 120/70 mm of Hg, BMI 29, LDL 105 mg/dl, HDL 38 mg/dl, Cholesterol 175 mg/dl, and Triglycerides 147 mg/dl at pre. At 12 week follow up(n = 9) resting blood pressure was 122/70 mm of Hg, BMI 28.3, LDL 72 mg/dl, HDL 36 mg/dl, Cholesterol 133 mg/dl and Triglycerides 101 mg/dl. At 24 week follow up (n = 6) BMI 27.8, LDL 80 mg/dl, HDL 44 mg/dl, Cholesterol 146 mg/dl and Triglycerides 99.6 mg/dl. A paired T test showed statistically significant in serum LDL(p 0.02) and Serum Cholesterol(p 0.05) at 12 weeks. At 24 weeks changes in serum triglyceride level (p.05) were statistically significant. Changes in other parameters were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:

A standard outpatient phase II cardiac rehabilitation program can serve as an effective medium for monitoring and implementing strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction.