Clinical outcomes of a cardiac rehabilitation and maintenance program for Chinese patients with congestive heart failure

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of a standard Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme (CRP) and an Extended Maintenance Programme (EMP) for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHOD: Subjects with CHF discharged from hospitalization were invited to participate in a 6-week CRP followed by a 12-week EMP. Outcome variables included New York Heart Association functional classification, distance covered in a 6 minute-walk distance (6MWD), health-related quality of life (HRQOL) questionnaire and rate of hospital re-admission. RESULTS: Of 58 invited subjects, 26 completed the CRP and 18 continued with EMP. Subjects who participated in CRP and EMP showed superior improvement in 6MWT and HRQOL scores (p < 0.05) compared with those who did not participate in either program (control). Subjects who continued with the EMP demonstrated further improved performance compared with those who participated in CRP only. Of those re-admitted to hospital with symptoms associated with CHF, 73% were patients from the control group; 21% were those who completed the CRP and 6% were patients who completed the EMP. CONCLUSION: CRP is effective in improving functional capacity, HRQOL and reduces hospital readmission for patients with CHF. An EMP provides opportunities for further improvement in outcome. However there is a need to improve the patient participation rate of the programme in the Chinese community.