Cardiology Study: Evidence and Synthesis Statements Essay

Author(s)/Year of Publication

Rengo, J. L., Savage, P. D., Barrett, T., Ades, P. A., article publication date is 2018.

Study Design, Number of & Description of Participants

The design of the study is cohort or prospective observational type. The group of participants consists of 83 patients hospitalized with CHF and 36 additional stable HFrEF cardiology and heart clinic outpatients (Rengo et al., 2018).

Measurement Method (Instrument/tool)

Instruments included observation, assessment, and follow-up analysis of patients. LVEF, HFrEF etiology, exercise training response, attendance rates, dates of registration, and discharge were assessed (Rengo et al., 2018). For outpatients, data were obtained using the EMR system.

Reliability & Validity of the Instrument

The validity of the instruments and methods of observation is confirmed and ensured by the accuracy and professionalism of data collection and categorization. Reliability is emphasized by clinical studies and the practical experience of researchers.

Study Results Applicable to the PICO(T)

The results of the study are directly relevant to PICO(T) because the purpose of the research is to form conclusions about the relationship between exercise and the risk of repetitive heart failure. The 18-month follow-up observation provides results that can be reliable despite the relatively small cohort.

Strengths and Limitations of Study

The advantages of the study are the accurate statistical analysis methods, which contributed to the determination of the result. In addition, information was provided by the patients’ direct treating physicians, which further contributed to the CR attendance and accuracy of the observations. Limitations include the insufficient sample, provided that not all patients demonstrated regular attendance. Moreover, a limitation is the locality of the study, that is, its conduct within the boundaries of a single clinical center.

Themes Identified and Corresponding Synthesis Statements

• Theme I: Exercise training and its impact on cardiovascular mortality.
  • Corresponding Synthesis Statement: An unambiguous positive trend was found for a decrease in the disease and recurrence of cardiac flail in the case of regular special exercise.
• Theme II: Insufficient attendance of CHF patients for exercises and examinations.
  • Corresponding Synthesis Statement: The level of feedback from the patients concerned is insufficient. Many of them, for various reasons, refuse to participate in the exercise because its benefits are not widely known.

Summary

Despite the low level of attendance, improvements were seen after a careful follow-up of clinical and outpatient patients. With regular specific exercise, the majority of those observed had improvements in muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and a reduction in depression. The overall recurrence rate of CHF was likewise slightly decreased. This type of study has great potential and will be able to demonstrate more accurate results with a significant increase in cohort and coverage.

Reference

Rengo, J. L., Savage, P. D., Barrett, T., & Ades, P. A. (2018). Cardiac rehabilitation participation rates and outcomes for patients with heart failure.Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 38(1), 38–42.