Influence of age on rehabilitation outcomes and survival in post-acute inpatient cardiac rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of increasing age to clinical characteristics, rehabilitation outcomes, and long-term survival in a post-acute inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. METHODS: The study population consisted of all 364 consecutive cardiac rehabilitation patients admitted over a 4-year period to an inpatient cardiac rehabilitation program in a long-term acute care hospital.Admission and discharge comparisons were made between 3 age cohorts: 65 years (n = 117), 65 to 74 years (n = 127), and ≥ 75 years (n = 120). Patients were followed through January, 2010 for survival. RESULTS: The 3 cohorts on admission differed significantly in Functional Independence Measure, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, smoking and hypertension histories, body mass index, and cardiac diagnoses (all P < .05) but not in Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics, or left ventricular ejection fraction. There were no cohort differences in rehabilitation outcomes of physical function, inpatient days, and discharge disposition. Survival was longest in the youngest cohort whereas the 2 older cohorts had similar survivals (P < .01; log-rank test). All 3 cohorts had at least 40% survival at 8 years. Cox regression analyses showed that the comorbidity burden as quantified by the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics was the only predictor of death in all cohorts (all P ≤ .002). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided evidence that post-acute inpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs equally benefited both elderly patients and younger patients. These programs are valuable in the continuum of care for elderly patients who are not yet ready for discharge to home following a serious cardiac event.

Exercise training improves cardiovascular and autonomic profiles in HIV.

OBJECTIVES: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) and autonomic dysfunction, however the effects of fitness on vascular and autonomic mechanisms in HIV disease are unknown. METHODS: We studied forty-eight subjects (40.4 +/- 4.2 years) in a cross-sectional design matched for age, gender, BMI, and fitness. Participants were assigned to 1 in 4 groups: 1) Healthy Unfit (HU), 2) Healthy Fit (HF), 3) HIV Positive Unfit (HPU), and 4) HIV Positive Fit (HPF). Fitness was assessed via open-circuit spirometry; arterial compliance and autonomic modulations were measured via applanation tonometry and power spectral analysis, respectively, and baroreflex sensitivity was obtained using the alpha index. RESULTS: Arterial compliance was augmented in HPF vs. HPU [7.4 +/- 1.9 mmHg x second vs. 4.4 +/- 1.7 mmHg x second (P = 0.006)]. Parasympathetic modulation was higher in HPF vs. HPU [2244.5 +/- 2997.6 msecond(2) vs. 489.1 +/- 552.9 msecond(2) (P < 0.05)]. Sympathetic modulation was lower in HPF vs. HU [4.7 +/- 5.0 mmHg(2) vs. 12.9 +/- 9.7 mmHg(2) (P < 0.05)]. Baroreflex sensitivity was higher in HPF vs. HPU [17.3 +/- 10.2 msecond/mmHg vs. 7.4 +/- 3.8 msecond/mmHg (P = 0.003)], and HPF vs. HU [17.3 +/- 10.2 msecond/mmHg vs. 6.2 +/- 3.0 msecond/mmHg (P = 0.004)]. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentations in arterial compliance and baroreflex sensitivity associated with fitness portent an improved CV and autonomic profile for HIV-positive individuals. Physical activity may be an adjuvant method to enhance the overall vascular health in HIV-compromised individuals.