Cross-sectional and registry-based study

Currently, many heart patients face reduced physical capability and quality of life even after a successful operation. Cardiac rehabilitation is an interprofessional approach aiming to improve patient outcomes after open-heart surgery.  The rehabilitation programs include physical activity, psychosocial support, lifestyle interventions, medication support, and patient education.  Danish guidelines recommend referral to rehabilitation, yet many patients do not attend or fail to complete the cardiac rehabilitation programs. The reasons behind non-attendance and drop-out among Danish open-heart surgery patients are yet to be thoroughly investigated.

Our study aims to determine the rates of dropout and non-attendance in cardiac rehabilitation programs for open-heart surgery patients in Denmark. We will uncover the biopsychosocial factors associated with participation and non-adherence.  Finally, we will investigate the rehabilitation demands reported by patients as unmet or unsatisfactory.

This study is a collaboration between the Department of Clinical Medicine, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Aarhus University Hospital, the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Aalborg University Hospital, and the Danish Heart Foundation.

• Jacob Petersen, BSc medical student, Aarhus University.
• Anne Berggreen, BSc medical student, Aarhus University.
• Bente Skovsby Toft, BSc PhD, PostDoc, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital.
• Nina Føns Johnsen, Senior Researcher, Danish Heart Foundation
• Ivy Modrau, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital

The project has received funding from the Novo Nordic Foundation (Grant nr. 0083480).