Exercise-Based Real-time Telerehabilitation for Older Adult Patients Recently Discharged After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation:Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

BACKGROUND: The use of telehealth technology to improve functional recovery following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to examine the feasibility of exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation after TAVI. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, nonrandomized study using a mixed methods approach. Data collection included testing, researchers’ observations, logbooks, and individual patient interviews, which were analyzed using a content analysis approach. The intervention lasted 3 weeks and consisted of home-based web-based exercise training, an activity tracker, a TAVI information website, and 1 web-based session with a nurse. RESULTS: Of the initially included 13 patients, 5 (40%) completed the study and were interviewed; the median age was 82 (range 74-84) years, and the sample comprised 3 men and 2 women. Easy access to supervised exercise training at home with real-time feedback and use of the activity tracker to count daily steps were emphasized by the patients who completed the intervention. Reasons for patients not completing the program included poor data coverage, participants’ limited information technology skills, and a lack of functionality in the systems used. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise-based telerehabilitation for older people after TAVI, in the population as included in this study, and delivered as a web-based intervention, does not seem feasible, as 60% (8/13) of patients did not complete the study. Those completing the intervention highly appreciated the real-time feedback during the web-based training sessions. Future studies should address aspects that support retention rates and enhance patients’ information technology skills

Intravascular ultrasound assessed incomplete stent apposition and stent fracture in stent thrombosis after bare metal versus drug-eluting stent treatment the Nordic Intravascular Ultrasound Study (NIVUS)

Background: This prospective multicenter registry used intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with definite stent thrombosis (ST) to compare rates of incomplete stent apposition (ISA), stent fracture and stent expansion in patients treated with drug-eluting (DES) versus bare metal (BMS) stents. ST is a rare, but potential life threatening event after coronary stent implantation. The etiology seems to be multifactorial. Methods: 124 patients with definite ST were assessed by IVUS during the acute ST event. The study was conducted in 15 high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention -centers in the Nordic-Baltic countries. Results: In early or late ST there were no differences in ISA between DES and BMS. In very late ST, ISA was a more frequent finding in DES than in BMS (52% vs. 16%; p=0.005) and the maximum ISA area was larger in DES compared to BMS(1.1 +/- 2.3 mm(2) vs. 0.1 +/- 0.5 mm(2); p=0.004). Further, ISA was more prevalent in sirolimus-eluting than in paclitaxel-eluting stents (58% vs. 37%; p-0.02). Stent fractures were found both in DES (16%) and BMS (24%); p=0.28, and not related to time of stent thrombosis occurrence. For stents with nominal diameters >= 2.75 mm, 38% of the DES and 22% of the BMS had a minimum stent area of less than 5 mm(2); p=0.14. Conclusions: Very late stent thrombosis was more prevalent and associated with more extensive ISA in DES than in BMS treated patients. Stent fracture was a common finding in ST after DES and BMS implantation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved