An 8-12 week hybrid cardiac rehab program can serve 7 ACS patients/month using limited hospital space and staffing, with only 8% classified as high-risk.
A retrospective analysis of ACS admissions demonstrates that establishing a cardiac rehabilitation unit in a general hospital is feasible by optimizing existing infrastructure for a predominantly low-to-moderate risk patient population.
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Abstract Background Cardiac rehabilitation programs improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. However, many hospitals still do not have dedicated rehabilitation units. Purpose To assess the feasibility of establishing a cardiac rehabilitation unit in a local general hospital by analysing one year of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admissions. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted with ACS to our hospital between September 2023 and August 2024. Data were processed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Results A total of 86 patients were included (median age: 70 years; range: 32–91), 81% were male, and 92% were of Western European origin. Non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTEACS) accounted for 87% of cases (NSTEMI: 57%, unstable angina: 30%). The most common cardiovascular risk factors were hypertension (70%), diabetes (37%), prior ischemic heart disease (36%), and active smoking (26%). Regarding lipid profiles, 37 patients had isolated elevated LDL (median: 97 mg/dL), 3 had isolated hypertriglyceridemia (median: 239 mg/dL), and 22 had both elevated LDL (median: 116 mg/dL) and triglycerides (median: 192 mg/dL). Only 8% of patients were classified as high-risk for cardiac rehabilitation due to LVEF 40%. Based on these findings and considering resource limitations, we propose an 8–12-week rehabilitation program that would accommodate approximately 7 patients per month, following a hybrid model with virtual follow-up for younger and digitally proficient patients. The required infrastructure would include a classroom for educational sessions (15–20 m²), a designated space in the hospital gym (45–50 m²) with 6–8 exercise machines (treadmills/bicycles), and a single ECG monitor for high-risk patients. The estimated human resource allocation would include a cardiologist for pre- and post-rehabilitation ergometry and exercise prescription, along with a physiotherapist and a nurse who would supervise the sessions 3–4 hours per week. Conclusions Despite resource constraints, planning a cardiac rehabilitation unit in a general hospital is feasible by leveraging ACS admission data and optimizing existing infrastructure and personnel.Population characteristics Follow-up proposal
Diego et al. (Sat,) reported a other. An 8-12 week hybrid cardiac rehab program can serve 7 ACS patients/month using limited hospital space and staffing, with only 8% classified as high-risk.