First report of the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation’s Registry (ICRR)

Abstract

Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation–programs comprehensively delivering outpatient secondary prevention–is under-available and under-studied in the resource-poor settings where it is needed most. This report summarizes the governance, participating sites, patient characteristics and outcomes, as well as knowledge translation activities during first year of operation of ICCPR’s registry, namely the International Cardiac Rehab Registry. Methods: A pilot study was undertaken with five centers, demonstrating feasibility, satisfaction with the on-boarding processes, as well as data quality. Results: Fourteen centers have been engaged from all regions but Europe; Data have been entered on >1000 patients (18.1% female; mean age = 57.6), of whom 62.4% completed their programs and 19.9% dropped out for work or clinical reasons. Post-program, completers had significantly better work status, functional capacity, medication adherence, physical activity levels, diet, as well as lower tobacco use than non-completers (all p < 0.05). A site Certification program was developed and piloted, with five centers now recognized for their quality, given they met over 70% of the 13 internationally agreed standards based on Registry data and a virtual site assessment. Conclusion: Annual assessments have started. Quality improvement activities will soon be underway. We continue to invite new programs, supporting development in resource-poor settings to the benefit of patients served.