Cardiac rehabilitation in the COVID-19 time. Programs. Results

José Maroto-Montero, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Instituto de Rehabilitación Funcional La Salle, Madrid, España
Mercedes Coello-Cremades, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Instituto de Rehabilitación Funcional La Salle, Madrid, España
Laura Martín-Argomanid, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Instituto de Rehabilitación Funcional La Salle, Madrid, España
Marta Maroto-de-Pablo, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Instituto de Rehabilitación Funcional La Salle, Madrid, España
Miguel Gómez-Martínez, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Instituto de Rehabilitación Funcional La Salle, Madrid, España
Concepción Paredes-Camargo, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Instituto de Rehabilitación Funcional La Salle, Madrid, España
Carmen de-Pablo-Zarzosa, Unidad de Rehabilitación Cardiaca, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal. Madrid, España

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on Spanish Cardiac Rehabilitation Programmes (CRP). Objectives: The main objective of this study is to analyze the possibility of keeping these units open and, secondly, to assess whether demonstrated physical and psychological benefits are preserved. Methods: We analyzed results of our CRP in 2020 (119 patients) and compared them with those of 2019 (121 patients), year free of Covid. We compare different general variables, and results obtained in physical capacity, psychological level, as well as complications and dropouts. Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in age (61.6 vs. 61.5), sex (women: 12.6% vs. 14.8%), diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (106 vs. 99) and left ventricular ejection fraction (55.9% vs. 55.8%). Mean-high anxiety was higher at baseline (p = 0.02) and endline (p = 0.002) of program in 2019, as well as type A behavior pattern scores (p=0.041 and 0.034). Percentage of depression was similar. More than 95% of patients in 2020 reported fear of infection. Functional capacity increased, but less in 2020 (p = 0.001). Programme duration was longer in 2020 (p=0.001). Dropouts (15 vs. 11 patients) showed no significant differences. Conclusions: CR programmes in COVID-19 era are possible and continue to show benefits. The duration of programme was longer due to periods of non-attendance. Lower physical capacity may be related to mask use.

Keywords: Cardiac rehabilitation. COVID-19 pandemic. Dropouts. Fear of infection.