Predictors for not completing exercise-based rehabilitation following cardiac surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ECR) offers significant benefits for cardiovascular patients.
• However, a considerable number of patients do not complete prescribed ECR programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors associated with patient non-completion of ECR.

Main Methods:

• A registry-based study analyzed data from surgically treated heart patients (ischaemic/valve diseases) referred to an 8-week ECR program.
• Non-completion was defined as attending ≤75% of sessions.
• Multivariate logistic regression was used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Out of 364 referred patients, 42% did not complete ECR.
• Significant predictors of non-completion included readmission within 8 weeks (OR 2.50), antidepressant medication (OR 2.40), overweight (OR 1.81), and being single (OR 1.12).

Conclusions:

• A high rate of ECR non-completion was observed.
• Readmissions, antidepressant use, marital status, and obesity are critical factors to consider in future interventions aimed at enhancing ECR adherence.