Article

The purpose of this study was to examine whether meeting the Canadian
Cardiovascular Society (CCS) </=60-day wait time from cardiac rehabilitation (CR)
referral to enrollment is associated with CCS patient-level quality indicator
outcomes. METHODS: This pilot observational study consisted of 69 participants
entering CR separated into 2 groups based on wait time
(</=60-day, n = 45;
>60-day, n = 24). Data were collected at baseline, and 1, 4 (CR completion), 6,
and 12 months after baseline. Quality indicators for achieving a 0.5 peak
metabolic equivalent (MET) improvement at CR completion, physical activity of 150
min/wk of moderate-vigorous physical activity, and CR adherence were assessed.
Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire. RESULTS:
Sixty participants completed the study (60-day, n = 20). In
the </=60-day group, 92% of participants achieved the 0.5 MET improvement upon CR
completion; whereas 60% of the >60-day group met this criteria (P </= .05). For
the 150 min/wk of moderate-vigorous physical activity and CR adherence, both
groups were not significantly different at any time. Elevated depressive symptoms
were initially observed in 45% of participants in the </=60-day group and 35% in
the >60-day group (NS) and decreased to 8% in the </=60-day group compared with
30% in the >60-day group at 12 months (P </= .05). CONCLUSIONS: Meeting the CCS
60-day acceptable wait time is associated with improvements in METs and
depressive symptoms, but not with physical activity or CR adherence. A larger
observational study is warranted to explore patient-level CCS quality indicators
during and after CR.

Langue : ANGLAIS