Evaluation of Mobile App-derived Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Referral Patterns in Patients Participating in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: A Pilot Initiative (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Cardiac rehabilitation is known to improve morbidity and mortality; however, it is underutilized. OBJECTIVE This pilot initiative will: 1) determine if a smartphone app is able to detect meaningful differences in cardiorespiratory fitness after participation in traditional cardiac rehabilitation, 2) observe cardiac rehabilitation referral patterns and 3) monitor patient engagement in cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS During February 2020, n = 34 patients were enrolled in outpatient phase II cardiac rehabilitation at our institution and included in the initiative. A mobile phone app, Heart Snapshot, was used to estimate VO2 max at baseline and after 4 weeks of participation in cardiac rehab. Providers were surveyed about referral patterns. The plan-do-check-act cycle was used to assess improvement. RESULTS The mean age was 67 (SD: 13) and ischemic heart disease was the main reason for referral. Improvement in app-derived VO2 max was positively correlated with improvement in METs. The survey revealed provider lack of understanding of conditions benefitting from cardiac rehabilitation and discrepancy regarding responsibility referring to cardiac rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS Cardiac rehabilitation is an important yet underutilized intervention. There is room for improvement in provider education and ownership for cardiac rehabilitation referrals. An app-based VO2 estimate may be a solution for remotely monitoring fitness improvement. </sec