Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation adaptation protocol during Covid-19 pandemic achieved similar results as compared to non-pandemic usual practice: a single center experience

During the Covid-19 pandemic, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (EBCR)faced challenges. Adaptation protocols were implemented to circumvent thesechallenges. The study aimed to investigate whether the adaptation protocols ofEBCR during Covid-19 period influenced the result of cardiac rehabilitation. Thiswas a retrospective cohort study. The subjects were patients who underwentan EBCR program in Dr. Sardjito General Hospital. Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Theregistry of cardiac rehabilitation was obtained and divided into two periods:non-Covid-19 period and Covid-19 period. During the non-Covid-19 period,3 EBCR sessions per wk (10-12 total sessions) were performed. During theCovid-19 period, EBCR was reduced to 2 sessions per wk (10-12 total sessions).The functional capacities were evaluated as metabolic equivalents (METs) andexercise test time (min) by treadmill test. A total of 122 subjects completedthe EBCR. There were no significant differences in METs and exercise minuteachieved between two time periods. Among subjects with different sessionsper wk, namely 2, 3, and 4-5 sessions per wk, there were no significantdifferences in METs (7.01±1.89; 7.23±1.74; and 7.33±2.13, p=0.813) and minutesachieved (6.72±1.94; 6.96±1.96; and 6.81±1.84, p=0.848) in the end sessions. Inconclusion, the adaptation of EBCR protocols during the Covid-19 period byreducing the number of sessions per wk has similar results as compared to theusual regular EBCR practice

Hospital-based Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Improves Low Density Lipoprotein, Triglyceride, and Fasting Blood Glucose Level in Coronary Artery Disease Patients : a 6-month Follow up

ABSTRACT Background. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been reported as effective for improving coronary risk factors and increasing exercise tolerance in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after cardiac events. It may be performed in 3 stages: acute (phase I), subacute (phase II), and chronic (phase III). In Indonesia, most cardiac rehabilitation programs have been phase I and some phase II, whereas phase III cardiac rehabilitation has not often been performed as it was not covered by national health insurance. Objectives. We assessed the beneficial effects of 6-month hospital-based phase III comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation on physical status and coronary risk factors among CAD patients. Methods. 74 patients were stratified as the intervention group (n=37) and the control group (n=37). In the intervention group, patients participated in hospital-based phase III CR for 6 months, whereas in the control group, they received standard care. CR program consists of warm-up (senam jantung sehat), aerobic exercise, cool-down stretching, and health education session three days a week. Blood glucose and lipid profile examination were performed at the beginning and sixth month to assess patient’s metabolic status. Results. Of 74 patients observed, most patients were male (85.1%) with mean age 54.7+3.4 years old. 57 patients had post-procedural history (77% post-PCI, 4% post-CABG), 8 patients (11%) were still active smokers, 31 patients (42%) had diabetes, and 60 patients (81%) had hypertension. Participation of hospital-based phase III CR program was significantly correlated with lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level (p=0.003, r=0,41), triglyceride level (p=0.001, r=0,38), and fasting blood glucose (p<0.001, r=0,46) during 6-month follow up. Conclusion. Patients with CAD who underwent hospital-based phase III CR program had significantly better fasting glucose control, LDL, and triglyceride level during 6-month follow up. These results may encourage other hospitals to perform the same program achieving better prognosis of CAD patients. Keywords: cardiac rehabilitation, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride, blood glucos

Improvement of exercise capacity after early phase II cardiac rehabilitation in patients who undergo rheumatic mitral valve surgery

Background: Rheumatic heart disease still become a major concern in developing countries. Recent studies showed the benefits of early phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on improving the exercise capacity but the evidence in patients after rheumatic mitral valve surgery due to rheumatic heart disease is limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of early phase II CR program on increasing exercise capacity in the rheumatic mitral valve surgery patients. Methods: This is a cohort retrospective study. A review of medical records identified 254 patients who underwent early phase II CR after rheumatic mitral valve &nbsp;surgery between July 2009 – June 2019. Effects of CR was assessed by 6 Minutes Walking Distance (6MWD) pre and post early phase II CR and peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) calculated by Cahallin formula. In this study, we observed and analyzed the increasing of 6MWD and VO2 peak. Results: Our findings showed that 6MWD and VO2 peak increased significantly in these patients after early phase II CR program (p = 0.001). Mean of 6MWD increased from 316.3 ± 71.7 meters to 378.6 ± 60.3 meters and VO2 peak increased from 7.7 ±2.4 mL/kg/min to 8.9 ± 2.2 mL/kg/min. The mean difference of 6MWD was 62.3 meters and VO2 peak was 1.2 mL/kg/min. There was a strong correlation between VO2 peak and 6MWD (r = 71%; R2 = 51%; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Early phase II CR in patients with Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis after mitral valve surgery improved the exercise capacity. Based on 6MWD, we can predict the value of VO2 peak patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis surgery patients. &nbsp; Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation, rheumatic mitral stenosis, 6MWD, VO2 pea

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) Decrease the Progression of Cardiac Fibrosis in Rheumatic Heart Disease Through the Inhibition of IL-33/sST2

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is common in developing countries and poses a big medical challenge and burden. The pathogenesis of RHD is influenced by the triad of host, agent, and environment. Autoantigens generated from Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection are captured by the resident dendritic cells (DCs) in the heart's valvular endothelium. DCs differentiate into antigen presenting cells (APC) in the valve interstices. APC induces activation of autoreactive T cells, which triggers inflammation and tissue fibrosis. Cardiac fibrosis is promoted through the activation of Mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and its downstream signaling, including its interaction with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Smad proteins. TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 complexes with Smad3 and Smad4, and translocates into the nucleus. Angiotensin II enhances the migration, maturation, and presentation of DC. In RHD, Angiotensin II induces fibrosis via the stimulation of TGF-β, which further increases the binding of IL-33 to sST2 but not ST2L, resulting in the upregulation of Angiotensin II and progression of cardiac fibrosis. This cascade of inflammation and valvular fibrosis causes calcification and stiffening of the heart valves in RHD. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) inhibit Angiotensin II production, which in turn decreases TGF-β expression and the onset of overt inflammatory response. This condition leads to a reduction in the sST2 as the decoy receptor to "steal" IL-33, and IL-33 binds to ST2L and results in cardioprotection against cardiac fibrosis in the pathogenesis of RHD

Smartphone-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Improves Functional Capacity in Coronary Heart Disease Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) reduces mortality and morbidity in coronary heart disease (CHD); however, patients show a lack of adherence to CR. Alternatively, telehealth interventions have shown promising results for improving target outcomes in CR. This study aimed to review the effect of smartphone-based CR on the functional capacity of CHD patients. A literature search was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library on 21 March, 2022 to find randomised controlled trials on smartphone usage in CR to improve functional capacity. Outcomes included maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), a 6-min walk test (6-MWT), quality of life, smoking cessation, and modifiable risk factors. Eleven trials recruiting CHD patients were reviewed. Wearable devices connected to smartphone- or chat-based applications were commonly used for CR delivery. Most trials managed to provide exercise prescriptions, education on medication adherence and controlling risk factors, and psychosocial counselling through the intervention. Functional capacity improved significantly following smartphone-based CR in CHD patients compared to control groups, as measured by VO2 max and 6-MWT; patients were more likely to quit smoking. Compared to traditional care, smartphones that delivered CR to CHD patients demonstrate superior outcomes regarding increasing functional capacity. There is no significant improvement on lipid profile, blood pressure, HbA1C, body mass index, and quality of life. It can be used either alone or as an adjunct. Ultimately, the patients’ preferences and circumstances should be considered

Randomised controlled trial into the role of ramipril in fibrosis reduction in rheumatic heart disease: The RamiRHeD trial protocol

Introduction Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major burden in developing countries and accounts for 80% of all people living with the disease, where it causes most cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in children and young adults. Chronic inflammation and fibrosis of heart valve tissue due to chronic inflammation in RHD will cause calcification and thickening of the impacted heart valves, especially the mitral valve. This fibrogenesis is enhanced by the production of angiotensin II by increased transforming growth factor β expression and later by the binding of interleukin-33, which is known to have antihypertrophic and antifibrotic effects, to soluble sST2. sST2 binding to this non-natural ligand worsens fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesise that ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) would improve rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. Methods and analysis This is a single-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial with a pre-post test design. Patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis and valve dysfunction will be planned for cardiac valve replacement operation and will be given ramipril 5 mg or placebo for a minimum of 12 weeks before the surgery. The expression of ST2 in the mitral valve is considered to be representative of cardiac fibrosis. Mitral valve tissue will be stained by immunohistochemistry to ST2. Plasma ST2 will be measured by ELISA. This study is conducted in the Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, National Cardiac Center Harapan Kita Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, starting on 27 June 2019. Ethics and dissemination The performance and dissemination of this study were approved by the ethics committee of National Cardiovascular Center Harapan Kita with ethical code LB.02.01/VII/286/KEP.009/2018. Trial registration number NCT03991910

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries : a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8–13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05–6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50–75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life.peer-reviewe

The Validity and Reliability of the MacNew Heart Disease Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire: The Indonesian Version

Background: The MacNew heart disease health related quality of life tool is used widely in the cardiac populations to evaluate the impact of disease and intervention including rehabilitation. In addition to the English version, it is also available for several other languages except the Indonesian language. Therefore, the purpose of this study were 1) to translate the MacNew questionnaire from the English version to the Indonesian language and 2) to estimate the preliminary validity and reliability of the Indonesian MacNew for patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: Forward and backward translation procedure was used to develop the Indonesian MacNew. The Indonesian MacNew was administered to 24 patients after one week of revascularization surgery. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. To evaluate concurrent validity, the correlation of the compatible domain of the Indonesian MacNew and SF-36 was assessed. Results: Internal consistency reliability of the Indonesian MacNew was confirmed with Cronbach’s α of the global scale and all three subscales exceeding 0.95. Test- retest reliability was acceptable with intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.66 for the global score. Furthermore, an acceptable concurrent validity was established with statistically significant correlation between Indonesian MacNew and SF-36 (pearson correlation ranging from 0.47 to 0.71). Conclusion: The first results of the Indonesian MacNew indicate acceptable validity and reliability as a measurement tool to assess health related quality of life of Indonesian patients with coronary artery disease