[ITACARE-P/SIGG/SIGOT/SICGE position paper: referral of elderly cardiac patient from geriatrics to cardiac rehabilitation.]

Abstract

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is Class IA indication in patients after an acute cardiovascular (CV) event, with efficacy confirmed even in elderly or frail CV patients CV and geriatric outcomes. However, rate of referral and admission to CR of elderly CV patients remains very low. CV patients admitted in geriatric wards are often complex, multimorbid and frail. Therefore, the present position paper addressees their possible referral to CR, since many have various forms of CV diseases amenable to improve with CR. The multidisciplinary and comprehensive model of CR is applicable to these patients where evaluation and interventions should be tailored to the patient functional and clinical status, aiming to appropriate targets. Cardiologist, Geriatrician and other professionals, should synergistically integrate their competences, thus outlining also the new paradigm of "Cardiogeriatric Rehabilitation and Prevention", possibly leading to an increased awareness of the beneficial effect of CR and to an increased referral to CR from Geriatric departments. Operative recommendations are given, based on appropriateness and priority of indications, clinical risk and frailty level, integrating different expertise to reach more effective programs of care.