Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Smartphone-based home care model improved use of cardiac rehabilitation in postmyocardial infarction patients: results from a randomised controlled trial.
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is pivotal in preventing recurring events of myocardial infarction (MI). This study aims to investigate the effect of a smartphone-based home service delivery (Care Assessment Platform) of CR (CAP-CR) on CR use and health outcomes compared with a traditional, centre-based programme (TCR) in post-MI patients. ⋯ This smartphone-based home care CR programme improved post-MI CR uptake, adherence and completion. The home-based CR programme was as effective in improving physiological and psychological health outcomes as traditional CR. CAP-CR is a viable option towards optimising use of CR services.
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Elevated levels of circulating liver enzymes have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Their possible association with atrial fibrillation (AF) has received little attention. ⋯ In this community-based prospective study, higher levels of liver enzymes, mainly GGT, were associated with an increased risk of AF. The mechanisms underlying this association deserve further scrutiny.
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Comparative Study
High-sensitivity versus conventional troponin for management and prognosis assessment of patients with acute chest pain.
High-sensitivity troponin (hs-cTn) is substituting conventional cTn for evaluation of chest pain. Our aim was to assess the impact on patient management and outcome. ⋯ hs-cTn simplified chest pain triage on avoiding a more complex evaluation with non-invasive tests in the chest pain unit, but prompted longer hospitalisations and more invasive procedures without impacting on the 6-month outcomes.