Effects of Phase III Cardiac Rehabilitation on Mortality and Cardiovascular Events in Elderly Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease

n=111 elderly male patients (≥65 years) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), referred at least 6 months after a major coronary event (ACS, CABG, or PCI). Excluded: ongoing congestive heart failure, liver dysfunction, renal dysfunction, or systemic disease.

Phase III comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program once weekly for 6 months (supervised exercise, dietary, and education program) plus home-based aerobic and resistance exercise twice weekly.

Standard outpatient care (age-matched controls selected from medical records, medical treatment unchanged during the 6 months).

Composite of all-cause death or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, acute coronary syndrome, refractory ischemia requiring PCI or CABG, admission for congestive heart failure, and stroke, followed for up to 3,500 days.composite