Barriers to cardiac rehabilitation delivery in a low-resource setting from the perspective of healthcare administrators, rehabilitation providers, and cardiac patients

Background: Despite clinical practice guideline recommendations that cardiovascular disease patients participate, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are highly unavailable and underutilized. This is particularly true in low-resource settings, where the epidemic is at its’ worst. The reasons are complex, and include health system, program and patient-level barriers. This is the first study to assess barriers at all these levels concurrently, and to do so in a lowresource setting. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from three cohorts (healthcare administrators, CR coordinators and patients) were triangulated. Healthcare administrators from all institutions offering cardiac services, and providers from all CR programs in public and private institutions of Minas Gerais state, Brazil were invited to complete a questionnaire. Patients from a random subsample of 12 outpatient cardiac clinics and 11 CR programs in these institutions completed the CR Barriers Scale. Results: Thirty-two (35.2%) healthcare administrators, 16 (28.6%) CR providers and 805 cardiac patients (305 [37.9%] attending CR) consented to participate. Administrators recognized the importance of CR, but also the lack of resources to deliver it; CR providers noted referral is lacking. Patients who were not enrolled in CR reported significantly greater barriers related to comorbidities/functional status, perceived need, personal/family issues and access than enrollees, and enrollees reported travel/work conflicts as greater barriers than non-enrollees (all p < 0.01). Conclusions: The inter-relationship among barriers at each level is evident; without resources to offer more programs, there are no programs to which physicians can refer (and hence inform and encourage patients to attend), and patients will continue to have barriers related to distance, cost and transport. Advocacy for services is needed. Keywords: Health care services, Cardiac rehabilitation, Cardiac care facilities, Attitude of health personnelYork University Librarie

Study on functional cardiorespiratory changes after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication Estudo das alterações funcionais cardiorrespiratórias após a fundoplicatura laparoscópica à Nissen

PURPOSE: To analyze the behavior of cardiopulmonary function in postoperative of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. METHODS: Thirty-two patients, 13 males (41%) and 19 females (59%), were evaluated. Their age ranged from 25 to 67 years, with a mean of 44.4 ± 10.9. Pulmonary volumes, respiratory pressures and exercise tests were performed in the preoperative period (PRE) and in the first (PO1), second (PO2), fifth (PO5) and thirtieth (PO30) postoperative periods. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were evaluated, of whom 59% were females. Mean age was 44.4 ± 10.9 years. Lung volumes had significant decrease at PO1 and PO2 and were similar to PRE values at PO5. Respiratory pressures were altered only at PO1. The distance covered in the 6-minute walk test had significant reduction until PO2, and climbing time in the stair-climbing test significantly increased at PO2. CONCLUSION: Patients submitted to LNF surgery have decreased cardiorespiratory function in the early postoperative period; however, they soon return to preoperative conditions.<br>OBJETIVO: Analisar o comportamento da função cardiopulmonar no pós-operatório de fundoplicatura Nissen laparoscópica. MÉTODOS: Trinta e dois pacientes, 13 homens (41%) e 19 mulheres (59%) foram avaliados. A idade variou de 25 to 67 anos, com media de 44.4 ± 10.9. Os volumes pulmonares, as pressões respiratórias e testes de exercício foram realizados no período pré-operatório (PRE) e no primeiro (PO1), segundo (PO2), quinto (PO5) e trigésimo (PO30) períodos pós-operatórios. RESULTADOS: Trinta e dois pacientes foram avaliados, dos quais 59% eram do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 44,4 ± 10,9 anos. Os volumes pulmonares apresentaram diminuição significativa no PO1 e PO2 e foram semelhantes aos valores PRE no PO5. As pressões respiratórias estiveram alteradas apenas no PO1. A distância percorrida no teste da caminhada de 6 minutos apresentou redução significativa até o PO2, e o tempo de subida no teste de escada aumentou significativamente no PO2. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes submetidos à FLN apresentaram diminuição da função cardiorrespiratória no início do período pós-operatório, no entanto, elas rapidamente regressaram às condições pré-operatórias