Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Outpatient Setting - CAM 80308

Description
Cardiac rehabilitation refers to comprehensive medically supervised programs in the outpatient setting that aim to improve the function of patients with heart disease and prevent future cardiac events. National organizations have specified core components to be included in cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Background
Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for more than half of all deaths. Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of heart disease. In a 2020 update on heart disease and stroke statistics from the American Heart Association, it was estimated that 605,000 Americans have a new coronary attack (first hospitalized myocardial infarction or coronary heart disease death) and 200,000 have a recurrent attack annually.¹ Both coronary artery disease and various other disorders — structural heart disease and other genetic, metabolic, endocrine, toxic, inflammatory, and infectious causes — can lead to the clinical syndrome of heart failure, of which there are about 650,000 new cases in the United States annually.² Given the burden of heart disease, preventing secondary cardiac events and treating the symptoms of heart disease and heart failure have received much attention from national organizations.

Cardiac Rehabilitation
In 1995, the U.S. Public Health Service defined cardiac rehabilitation services as, in part, “comprehensive, long-term programs involving medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, cardiac risk factor modification, education, and counseling. … [These programs] are designed to limit the physiologic and psychological effects of cardiac illness, reduce the risk for sudden death or reinfarction, control cardiac symptoms, stabilize or reverse the atherosclerotic process, and enhance the psychosocial and vocational status of selected patients.” The U.S. Public Health Service recommended cardiac rehabilitation services for patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure, including those awaiting or following cardiac transplantation. A 2010 definition of cardiac rehabilitation from the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation stated: “Cardiac rehabilitation can be viewed as the clinical application of preventive care by means of a professional multi-disciplinary integrated approach for comprehensive risk reduction and global long-term care of cardiac patients.”³ Since the 1995 release of the U.S. Public Health Service guidelines, other societies, including in 2005 the American Heart Association⁴ and in 2010 the Heart Failure Society of America⁵ have developed guidelines on the role of cardiac rehabilitation in patient care.

Regulatory Status
Not applicable

Related Policies
None

Policy
Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs is considered MEDICALLY NECESSARY for individuals with a history of the following conditions and procedures:

Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) within the preceding 12 months
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary stenting
Heart valve surgery
Heart or heart-lung transplantation
Current stable angina pectoris
Compensated heart failure

Repeat participation in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program in the absence of another qualifying cardiac event is investigational/unproven therefore is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Intensive cardiac rehabilitation with the Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease, Pritikin Program, or Benson-Henry Institute Program is investigational/unproven therefore is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Virtual cardiac rehabilitation is investigational/unproven therefore is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation investigational/unproven therefore is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY for all other indications (e.g., SARS-CoV-2).

Policy Guidelines
The following components must be included in cardiac rehabilitation programs:

Physician-prescribed exercise each day cardiac rehabilitation services are provided
Cardiac risk factor modification
Psychosocial assessment
Outcomes assessment
Individualized treatment plan detailing how each of the above components are utilized

A cardiac rehabilitation exercise program is eligible for coverage for 3 sessions per week up to a 12-week period (36 sessions). Programs should start within 90 days of the cardiac event and be completed within 6 months of the cardiac event.

A comprehensive evaluation may be performed prior to initiation of cardiac rehabilitation to evaluate the patient and determine an appropriate exercise program. In addition to a medical examination, an electrocardiogram (EKG) stress test may be performed. An additional stress test may be performed at the completion of the program.

Physical and/or occupational therapy are not medically necessary in conjunction with cardiac rehabilitation unless performed for an unrelated diagnosis.

Rationale
Evidence reviews assess the clinical evidence to determine whether the use of technology improves the net health outcome. Broadly defined, health outcomes are the length of life, quality of life, and ability to function, including benefits and harms. Every clinical condition has specific outcomes that are important to patients and managing the course of that condition. Validated outcome measures are necessary to ascertain whether a condition improves or worsens and whether the magnitude of that change is clinically significant. The net health outcome is a balance of benefits and harms.

To assess whether the evidence is sufficient to draw conclusions about the net health outcome of technology, 2 domains are examined: the relevance, and the quality and credibility. To be relevant, studies must represent 1 or more intended clinical use of the technology in the intended population and compare an effective and appropriate alternative at a comparable intensity. For some conditions, the alternative will be supportive care or surveillance. The quality and credibility of the evidence depend on study design and conduct, minimizing bias and confounding that can generate incorrect findings. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is preferred to assess efficacy; however, in some circumstances, nonrandomized studies may be adequate. RCTs are rarely large enough or long enough to capture less common adverse events and long-term effects. Other types of studies can be used for these purposes and to assess generalizability to broader clinical populations and settings of clinical practice.

Promotion of greater diversity and inclusion in clinical research of historically marginalized groups (e.g., people of color [African American, Asian, Black, Latino and Native American]; LGBTQIA [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual]; women; and people with disabilities [physical and invisible]) allows policy populations to be more reflective of and findings more applicable to our diverse members. While we also strive to use inclusive language related to these groups in our policies, use of gender-specific nouns (e.g., women, men, sisters, etc.) will continue when reflective of language used in publications describing study populations.

Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation for Heart Disease
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of cardiac rehabilitation in individuals who have heart disease is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with diagnosed heart disease.

Interventions
The treatment being considered is cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation includes long-term programs that include medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, modification to reduce cardiac risks, education, and counseling.

Comparators
The comparator of interest is standard management without cardiac rehabilitation. The following practices are currently being used to manage heart disease: medication, surgery, and medical devices.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Systematic Reviews
Oldridge (2012) identified 6 independent meta-analyses published since 2000 that reported outcomes from 71 RCTs (N = 13,824) following cardiac rehabilitation interventions.⁶ The RCTs included in the meta-analyses enrolled patients with myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, angina, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and/or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The RCTs compared cardiac rehabilitation programs (exercise-only and/or comprehensive rehabilitation) with usual care. Cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a statistically significant (p<.05) reduction in all-cause mortality in 4 of the 5 meta-analyses that reported this outcome. In the pooled analysis, cardiac rehabilitation was associated with an 18.5% mean reduction in all-cause mortality. Also, cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in cardiac mortality in 3 of the 4 meta-analyses that reported disease-specific mortality as an outcome.

Two of the meta-analyses on cardiac rehabilitation were Cochrane reviews. One included patients with coronary heart disease.⁷ and the other focused on patients with systolic heart failure.⁸ Both addressed exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programs (exercise alone or as part of a comprehensive program). Anderson et al. (2016) updated a 2011 Cochrane review addressing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation for individuals with coronary heart disease.^7,9 Reviewers included RCTs of exercise-based interventions with at least 6 months of follow-up compared with no-exercise controls in patients with myocardial infarction, CABG, or PCI, or with angina pectoris or coronary artery disease. The updated review included 63 RCTs (N = 14,486), of which 16 trials had been published since the 2011 update. Reviewers reported that the overall risk of bias was unclear, although the quality of reporting improved with more recent trials. Due to the nature of the intervention, patients were not blinded to the treatment group in any of the studies, but 16 (25%) of 62 studies reported details of blinded assessment of study outcomes. In the pooled analysis, cardiac rehabilitation was not significantly associated with overall mortality. However, among 27 studies, cardiac rehabilitation was significantly associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality (292/3850 for cardiac rehabilitation subjects vs. 375/3,619 for control subjects; relative risk [RR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.86). Rates of myocardial infarction, CABG, and PCI were not significantly associated with receiving cardiac rehabilitation.

Long et al. (2019) reported a Cochrane Review of studies assessing cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure. A total of 44 RCTs were evaluated,11 of which were new trials, for the effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on adults with heart failure (5,783 total participants).¹⁰ A single trial, Exercise Based Cardiac Rehabilitation for Adults With Heart Failure (HF-ACTION), contributed almost half of the patients (with results reported in 18 publications); most other studies were small and single-center. All studies had 6 months or longer follow-up and did not include a formal exercise training intervention as a comparator. The primary outcomes reported were mortality, hospital admission, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The overall risk of bias was assessed as being low or unclear, and results were downgraded using the GRADE tool for all outcomes except one. Results showed that cardiac rehabilitation had little effect on all-cause mortality over ≤ 1 year of follow-up (27 trials, 2,596 participants: cardiac rehabilitation 5.1% vs. control 5.8%; low-quality evidence). However, cardiac rehabilitation may make a difference in the long-term (> 1 year of follow-up; 6 trials, 2,845 participants: cardiac rehabilitation 17.2% vs. control 19.6%; high-quality evidence). Mortality related to heart failure was not consistently reported in the studies. Chances of avoiding hospital admission for any cause within 12 months of follow-up were better with cardiac rehabilitation (21 trials, 2,182 participants: cardiac rehabilitation 16.5% vs. control 23.7%; moderate-quality evidence). Cardiac rehabilitation may also reduce short-term heart failure-related hospital admission (14 trials, 1,114 participants: cardiac rehabilitation 7.1% vs. control 11.1%; RR, 0.59, 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.84; p = .003), but the evidence was rated low quality. HRQoL was reported by 29 trials, most of which used the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure questionnaire; however, other tools were also used among the 29 trials that reported validated HRQoL measures. For exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation, no trials reported lower HRQoL scores with cardiac rehabilitation than with control, and all but 1 reported on results at ≥ 6 months follow-up. The pooled results from all measures used showed a clinically important improvement (a 5-point difference on the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure) with exercise at up to 12 months follow-up, but the evidence was of very low quality. Compared with the 2014 review, this version included more women, older patients, participants with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in recent trials, and more trials of cardiac rehabilitation in a home-based setting; this version may be more valid and applicable. A 2023 update by Molloy et al. identified 16 new trials. Improvements in all-cause mortality, all-cause hospitalization, and HF-related hospitalization were noted with cardiac rehabilitation in any setting compared with usual care; however, the improvements were only significant for all-cause hospitalization in the short term (RR, 0.69, 95% CI, 0.56 – 0.86).¹¹

Table 1. Systematic Review Characteristics

Study	Dates	Trials	Participants	N (Range)	Design
Davies et al. (2010)⁸	1995 – 2008	29	All adults with chronic systolic HF	3647 (20 to 2331)	RCT
Oldridge (2012)⁶	2000 – 2011	71	Patients with MI, CHD, angina, PCI, and/or CABG	13,824 (6,111 to 10,794)	RCT
Anderson et al. (2016)⁷	1975 – 2014	63	Patients with MI, angina pectoris, CAD, or who underwent CABG or PCI	14,486 (25 to 3184)	RCT
Long et al. (2019)¹⁰	1995 – 2018	44	Patients with HF	5783 (19 to 2331)	RCT
Molloy et al. (2023)¹¹	Through December 2021	60	Patients with HF	8728 (NR)	RCT

CABG: coronary artery bypass graft; CAD: coronary artery disease; CHD: coronary heart disease; HF: heart failure; MI: myocardial infarction; PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention; RCT: randomized controlled trial.

Table 2. Systematic Review Results

Study	All-Cause Mortality	Cardiovascular Mortality
Davies et al. (2010)⁸	13 studies (≤ 12 mo)	NR
Difference in pooled mortality, fixed-effect RR	1.02	NR
95% CI	0.70 to 1.51	NR
p-value	.90	NR
Oldridge (2012)⁶	6 studies	6 studies
Reduction, mean %	18.50	29.4
p-value	< .05	NR
Range, %	NR	20 to 43
Anderson et al. (2016)⁷	47 studies; N = 12,455 participants	27 studies; N = 7,69 participants
RR	0.96	0.74
95% CI	0.88 to 1.04	0.64 to 0.86
Long et al. (2019)¹⁰	2845 participants, 6 studies	(studies did not consistently report deaths due to heart failure)
RR	0.88	NR
95% CI	0.75 to 1.02	NR
Molloy et al. (2023)¹¹	3,780 participants, 8 studies	NR
RR	0.87 (long-term, > 12 months)	NR
95% CI	0.72 to 1.04	NR

Randomized Controlled Trials
Findings of a large, multicenter RCT from the United Kingdom, which evaluated the effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation in a “real-life” setting, were published by West et al. (2012).¹² Called the Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction Trial (RAMIT), the study included patients from 14 centers with established multifactorial cardiac rehabilitation programs (including exercise, education, and counseling), involved more than 1 discipline, and provided an intervention lasting a minimum of 10 hours. A total of 1,813 patients were randomized: 903 to cardiac rehabilitation and 910 to a control condition. Vital status was obtained at 2 years for 99.9% (all but 1 patient) and at 7 to 9 years for 99.4% of patients. By 2 years, 166 patients had died: 82 in the cardiac rehabilitation group and 84 in the control group. The between-group difference in mortality at 2 years (the primary study outcome) was not statistically significant (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.30). After 7 to 9 years, 488 patients had died, 245 in the cardiac rehabilitation group and 243 in the control group (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.15). In addition, at 1 year, cardiovascular morbidity did not differ significantly between groups. For a combined endpoint including death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, or revascularization, the RR was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.88 to 1.07). In discussing the study’s negative findings, trialists noted that medical management of heart disease had improved over time, and patients in the control group might have had better outcomes than in earlier RCTs on this topic. Moreover, an editorial accompanying the publication of the trial’s findings emphasized that RAMIT was not an efficacy trial, but rather, a trial evaluating the effectiveness of actual cardiac rehabilitation programs in the United Kingdom.¹³ Finally, these results might in part reflect the degree to which clinically-based cardiac rehabilitation programs in the United Kingdom differ from the treatment protocols used in RCTs based in research settings.

A concern raised by the negative findings in the RAMIT trial is that most of the RCTs evaluating cardiac rehabilitation were conducted in an earlier era of heart disease management and might not be relevant to current care. However, RAMIT’s results, along with 15 additional RCTs reported since a 2011 Cochrane review, were included in the updated 2016 Cochrane review, which found improvements in cardiovascular mortality associated with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Pandey et al. (2017) evaluated endurance exercise training as part of a cardiac rehabilitation program in a population of heart failure patients stratified by ejection fraction.¹⁴ Participants had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or reduced ejection fraction, were 65 years of age or older, and had participated in a 16-week exercise program that intensified from 40% to 50% of heart rate reserve in the first 2 weeks to 60% to 70% over the ensuing weeks as part of a previously published RCT.¹⁵ The primary outcome for assessing change in exercise capacity was the percentage change in peak oxygen uptake (mL/kg per minute) from baseline to end of exercise training (16-week follow-up). Data on testing from 48 patients (24 reduced ejection fraction, 24 heart failure with preserved ejection fraction) were assessed. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients experienced greater improvement in exercise training patients (18.7%) than reduced ejection fraction patients (-0.3%; p < .001) as measured by peak oxygen uptake. There was no information on subsequent hospitalization rates or clinical outcomes such as heart failure progression or mortality. This secondary analysis was used to assert the appropriateness of cardiac rehabilitation in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction patients.

Opotowsky et al. (2018) compared cardiac rehabilitation to the standard of care in 28 subjects (mean age: 41.1 years) with moderate to severe congenital heart disease.¹⁶ Cardiac rehabilitation was associated with a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption with no associated adverse events. There was also a nonsignificant improvement in peak work rate with cardiac rehabilitation as compared to standard of care (p = .16) and a significant improvement in self-assessment of overall health (p < .04). However, the study was limited by its small sample size and short-term follow-up.

Tables 3 and 4 provide a summary of key RCT characteristics and results.

Table 3. Summary of Key Randomized Controlled Trial Characteristics

Trial	Countries	Sites	Dates	Participants	Interventions
					Active	Comparator
West et al. (2012); RAMIT¹²	United Kingdom	14	1997 – 2000	Patients diagnosed with acute MI (N = 1,813)	Cardiac rehabilitation (n = 903)	Control (n = 910)
Pandey et al. (2017)¹⁴	U.S.	1	NR	Patients aged ≥ 65 years with HFrEF (n = 24) or HFpEF (n = 24)	16-wk supervised moderate endurance exercise training (n = 48)	HRrEF (n = 24) vs. HFpEF (n = 24)
Opotowsky et al. (2018)¹⁶	U.S.	1	NR	Patients aged ≥ 16 years with moderate to severe congenital heart disease (N = 28)	12-wk cardiac rehabilitation (n = 13)	Standard of care (n = 15)

HF: heart failure; HFpEF: HF with preserved ejection fraction; HFrEF: HF with reduced ejection fraction; MI: myocardial infarction; NR: not reported; RCT: randomized controlled trial; RAMIT: Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction Trial.

Table 4. Summary of Key Randomized Controlled Trial Results

Study	2-yr Mortality	Readmission to Hospital for Any Cardiac Condition at 1 y	Training-Related Improvement in Vo₂ peak Change
West et al. (2012); RAMIT¹²	N = 1,813 participants	N = 1,813 participants	NR
CR	82 patients	222 (25%)	NR
Control	84 patients	239 (26%)	NR
RR	0.98	NR	NR
95% CI	0.74 to 1.30	NR	NR
Pandey et al. (2017)¹⁴	NR	NR	N = 48 participants
HFrEF	NR	NR	18.7+/-17.6
HFpEF	NR	NR	-0.3+/-15.4
p-value	NR	NR	<.001
Opotowsky et al. (2018)¹⁶			N = 28 participants
CR	NR	NR	+2.2 mL/kg/min (compared to standard of care)
95% CI; p-value	NR	NR	0.7 to 3.7; p = .002

CI: confidence interval; CR: cardiac rehabilitation; HF: heart failure; HFpEF: HF with preserved ejection fraction; HFrEF: HF with reduced ejection fraction; NR: not reported; RCT: randomized controlled trial; RR: relative risk; Vo2peak: peak oxygen uptake. RAMIT: Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction Trial.

The purpose of the limitations tables (see Tables 5 and 6) is to display notable limitations identified in each study. This information is synthesized as a summary of the body of evidence following each table and provides the conclusions on the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the position statement.

Table 5. Study Relevance Limitations

Study	Population^a	Comparator^c	Outcomes^d	Follow-Up^e
West et al. (2012); RAMIT¹²	4,5. Descriptions of diversity in study populations were not reported			1,2. Trial was closed prematurely
Pandey et al. (2017)¹⁴	4. Enrolled populations do not reflect relevant diversity; 81% of participants were White	2. No comparator used		1,2. Only 16 wks follow-up
Opotowsky et al. (2018)¹⁶	4,5. Descriptions of diversity in study populations were not reported		1. Key health outcomes such as mortality or readmission not addressed	1,2. Only 12 wks follow-up

RAMIT: Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction Trial.
The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps assessment.
^a Population key: 1. Intended use population unclear; 2. Study population is unclear; 3. Study population not representative of intended use; 4. Enrolled populations do not reflect relevant diversity; 5. Other.
^b Intervention key: 1. Not clearly defined; 2. Version used unclear; 3. Delivery not similar intensity as comparator; 4. Not the intervention of interest. 5. Other.
^c Comparator key: 1. Not clearly defined; 2. Not standard or optimal; 3. Delivery not similar intensity as intervention; 4. Not delivered effectively. 5. Other.
^d Outcomes key: 1. Key health outcomes not addressed; 2. Physiologic measures, not validated surrogates; 3. No CONSORT reporting of harms; 4. Not establish and validated measurements; 5. Clinical significant difference not prespecified; 6. Clinical significant difference not supported. 7. Other.
^e Follow-Up key: 1. Not sufficient duration for benefit; 2. Not sufficient duration for harms. 3. Other.

Table 6. Study Design and Conduct Limitations

Study	Allocation^a	Blinding^b	Power^e
West et al. (2012); RAMIT¹²	3. Allocation concealment unclear	1,2. Not blinded
Pandey et al. (2017)¹⁴	1. Participants not randomly allocated	1,2. Not blinded
Opotowsky et al. (2018)¹⁶		1,2. Not blinded	1. Power calculations not reported

RAMIT: Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction Trial.
The study limitations stated in this table are those notable in the current review; this is not a comprehensive gaps s assessment.
^a Allocation key: 1. Participants not randomly allocated; 2. Allocation not concealed; 3. Allocation concealment unclear; 4. Inadequate control for selection bias.
^b Blinding key: 1. Not blinded to treatment assignment; 2. Not blinded outcome assessment; 3. Outcome assessed by treating physician.
^c Selective Reporting key: 1. Not registered; 2. Evidence of selective reporting; 3. Evidence of selective publication.
^d Follow-Up key: 1. High loss to follow-up or missing data; 2. Inadequate handling of missing data; 3. High number of crossovers; 4. Inadequate handling of crossovers; 5. Inappropriate exclusions; 6. Not intent to treat analysis (per protocol for noninferiority trials).
^e Power key: 1. Power calculations not reported; 2. Power not calculated for primary outcome; 3. Power not based on clinically important difference.
^f Statistical key: 1. Intervention is not appropriate for outcome type: (a) continuous; (b) binary; (c) time to event; 2. Intervention is not appropriate for multiple observations per patient; 3. Confidence intervals and/or p values not reported; 4. Comparative treatment effects not calculated.

Observational Studies
Sumner et al. (2017) published a systematic review of controlled observational studies evaluating cardiac rehabilitation in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction.¹⁷ Cardiac rehabilitation interventions consisted of structured multicomponent programs that included exercise and at least 1 of the following: education, information, health behavior change, and psychological or social support. Usual care interventions, generally supervised medical interventions, were the control conditions. Ten studies met reviewers’ eligibility criteria. In a meta-analysis of 5 studies reporting all-cause mortality (an unadjusted outcome), there was a significantly lower risk of death in the group that received cardiac rehabilitation (odds ratio [OR], 0.25; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.40). Three studies that reported an adjusted analysis of all-cause mortality also found a significant benefit from cardiac rehabilitation (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.59). Similarly, a meta-analysis of 3 studies reporting cardiac-related mortality (an unadjusted analysis) found a significant benefit from cardiac rehabilitation (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.37). Only 1 study reported an adjusted analysis of cardiac-related mortality, so data could not be pooled.

Nilsson et al. (2018) investigated the effect of a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program with a high-intensity interval exercise component using participant peak oxygen uptake as a measure of improved exercise capacity.¹⁸ Increased exercise capacity has been shown to improve survival among persons with coronary heart disease. The objective of the study was to assess whether this addition to a cardiac rehabilitation program yielded improved long-term results. One hundred thirty-three coronary patients participated in this prospective cohort study and were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the 12-week program, and again at a 15-month follow-up. Additional test measurements included a cardiopulmonary exercise test, body mass index, blood pressure tests, and quality of life questionnaire. Of the 133 patients, 86 patients had complete information for the 15-month follow-up. Mean peak oxygen uptake improved from a baseline of 31.9 mL/kg/min to 35.9 mL/kg/min (p < .001) at the end of the 12-week program, and to 36.8 mL/kg/min (CI not reported) at 15-month follow-up. Most of the 86 patients reported maintaining an exercise routine. Study limitations included the small sample size, a relatively low-risk male population at baseline, and lack of information on the qualifying event for cardiac rehabilitation. The authors concluded that the cardiac rehabilitation program intervention potentially fostered consistent and beneficial exercise habits as demonstrated by improved peak oxygen uptake.

Jafri et al. (2021) conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR) in patients with established cardiovascular disease.¹⁹ A total of 269 patients at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center were eligible for inclusion (HBCR group, n = 157; non-HBCR control group, n = 100); 12 patients were excluded due to having outcomes less than 90 days after enrollment (study follow-up period was between 3 to 12 months). A majority of patients (98%) were male, and the mean age was 72 years. The primary outcome was composite all-cause mortality and hospitalizations and secondary outcomes were all-cause hospitalization, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular hospitalizations. The primary composite outcome occurred in both the HBCR (n = 30) and control (n = 30) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.95; p = .03). All-cause mortality occurred in 6.4% of HBCR patients versus 13% of the control group (adjusted HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.18 to 1.0; p = .05). There was no difference in cardiovascular or all-cause hospitalizations between groups.

Section Summary: Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation for Heart Disease
Overall, the evidence from RCTs reviewed in well-structured systematic reviews suggests that cardiac rehabilitation is associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. Additional RCTs, systematic reviews, and observational studies have evaluated outpatient cardiac rehabilitation in patients with heart failure or in the postintervention setting. An overview of 6 meta-analyses found a statistically significant association between cardiac rehabilitation and reduction in all-cause mortality and/or cardiac mortality. The available evidence has limitations, including lack of blinded outcome assessment, but, for the survival-related outcomes of interest, this limitation is less critical.

Repeat Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of repeat cardiac rehabilitation in individuals who have heart disease without a second event is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with diagnosed heart disease who have had cardiac rehabilitation before but who have not had a second cardiac event.

Interventions
The treatment being considered is repeat cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation includes long-term programs that include medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, modification to reduce cardiac risks, education, and counseling.

Comparators
The comparator of interest is standard management with a single course of cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation includes long-term programs that include medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, modification to reduce cardiac risks, education, and counseling.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are OS, disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
No studies were identified that evaluated the effectiveness of repeat participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

Section Summary: Repeat Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation
For individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease without a second event who receive repeat outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, the evidence includes no trials.

Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation for Heart Disease
There is no standard definition of an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program and, thus, specific programs are reviewed individually. Three programs have been evaluated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the published evidence supporting these programs is reviewed. The ideal trial design would be an RCT comparing the impact of intensive cardiac rehabilitation with standard cardiac rehabilitation on health outcomes.

Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of the Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease in individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with diagnosed heart disease.

Interventions
The treatment being considered is the Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease.

The Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease is an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program that focuses on exercise, diet, stress management, and support from others.

The multiple 4-hour sessions are administered by an Ornish-certified physician, cardiac therapist, or other certified health care provider.

Comparators
The comparator of interest is standard outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation includes long-term programs that include medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, modification to reduce cardiac risks, education, and counseling.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are OS, disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Randomized Controlled Trials
Ornish et al. (1990) conducted an RCT, called the Lifestyle Heart Trial, comparing a version of the Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease with usual care. Initial results were reported in 1990, and 5-year results in 1998.^20,21 Eligibility for the trial included diagnosed coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 25%, no myocardial infarction during the previous 6 weeks, not scheduled for CABG, and not taking lipid-lowering medication. Ninety-four eligible patients were randomized to an intervention group (n = 53) or a usual care control group (n = 43). Final consenting was done after randomization; 28 (53%) of patients assigned to the intervention group and 20 (43%) assigned to the control group agreed to participate in the trial.

The lifestyle intervention consisted of recommending a low-fat vegetarian diet and an individualized exercise regimen. Also, patients were taught stress management techniques and were taught to practice them at home for at least an hour a day. Also, twice-weekly group discussions were offered to provide social support. It is not clear how long patients attended these group discussions (i.e., the number of weeks or months). As reported by Ornish et al. (1990), the mean percentage diameter stenosis decreased from 40% at baseline to 37.8% at 1 year in the intervention group and increased from 42.7% to 46.1% in the control group (p = .001). The frequency and duration of chest pain did not differ between groups. However, during chest pain episodes, at 1 year, the intervention group reported mean chest pain severity of 1.7 (on a 7-point scale) whereas the mean score in the control group was 2.5 (p < .001).

Twenty (71%) of 28 patients in the intervention group and 15 (75%) of 20 in the control group completed the 5-year follow-up. The intervention and control groups did not differ significantly in the number of myocardial infarction events (2 vs. 4), CABGs (2 vs. 5), or deaths (2 vs. 1). However, compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly fewer percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (8 vs. 14 ; p < .050) and cardiac hospitalizations (23 vs. 44 ; p < .001).

Section Summary: Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease
One RCT was identified that evaluated the Ornish Program in patients diagnosed with heart disease and compared it with usual care. This RCT, which included patients with coronary artery disease but no recent cardiac event, had mixed findings at 1 and 5 years. The trial had a small sample size for a cardiac trial (N = 48), and only 35 patients were available for the 5-year follow-up. The Ornish Program is considered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to be an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, but the program described in this RCT might meet the criteria for standard cardiac rehabilitation. No studies were identified that compared the Ornish Program with any other cardiac rehabilitation program.

Pritikin Program
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of the Pritikin Program in individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with diagnosed heart disease.

Interventions
The treatment being considered is the Pritikin Program.

The Pritikin Program is an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program based on effective exercise, a healthy diet, and a healthy mindset.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are OS, disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Nonrandomized Studies
No RCTs evaluating the Pritikin Program were identified. Lakhani et al. (2023) conducted a prospective, nonrandomized study that compared intensive cardiac rehabilitation with the Pritikin Program and traditional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.²² The primary outcomes of interest were change in diet quality and quality of life from baseline to visit 24. There was a significant improvement in diet quality but not in quality of life between the Pritikin Program and traditional cardiac rehabilitation groups. Body mass index was also improved in patients who received intensive rehabilitation. Limitations of the study include a short follow-up and lack of data for cardiovascular outcomes.

Racette et al. (2023) published 7-year outcomes from the first institution to implement the Pritiken Program.²³ Retrospective data for 1,507 patients who received the intensive cardiac rehabilitation program and 456 patients who received traditional cardiac rehabilitation were compared. Outcomes of interest (eg, anthropometric measures, dietary patterns, 6-minute walk distance [6MWD], grip strength, and HRQoL) all improved with the Pritiken Program. Significant benefit of the Pritiken Program compared to traditional cardiac rehabilitation were noted for change in body weight (p<.0001), body mass index (p < .0001), waist circumference (p < .0001), and diet quality as measured by the Rate Your Plate score (p < .0001). There was no difference in 6MWD or grip strength between groups. Cardiovascular outcomes, including rehospitalization or mortality, were not assessed.

Table 7. Summary of Key Nonrandomized Trials

Study	Study Type	Country	Dates	Participants	Intensive cardiac rehabilitation	Traditional cardiac rehabilitation	Follow-Up
Lakhani et al. (2023)²²	Cohort	U.S.	2017 – 2021	Referred by a cardiologist for cardiac rehabilitation	n = 230	n = 62	24 visits
Racette et al. (2022)²³	Cohort	U.S.	2013 – 2019	Enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program in the course of usual care	N = 1,507	N = 456	72 sessions over 18 weeks; 7 year follow-up

Table 8. Summary of Key Nonrandomized Trials

Study	Change in diet quality	Change in QOL	Change in body weight (kg)	Change in BMI (kg/m²)	Change in 6MWD (m)
Lakhani et al. (2023)²²	N = 292	N = 292	NR	NR	NR
Intensive cardiac rehabilitation	90% improved 3% no change 7% worsened	80% improved 7% no change 13% worsened	NR	NR	NR
Traditional cardiac rehabilitation	71% improved 5% no change 24% worsened	71% improved 13% no change 16% worsened	NR	NR	NR
p-value	.001	NS	NR	NR	NR
Racette et al. (2022)²³	NR	NR	N = 1,963	N = 1,963	N = 1,963
Intensive cardiac rehabilitation	NR	NR	-1.4 ± 2.8	−0.5 ± 1.0	46.4 ± 57.8
Traditional cardiac rehabilitation	NR	NR	0.1 ± 3.2	0.1 ± 1.1	44.4 ± 58.9
p-value	NR	NR	< .001	< .001	.106

6MWD: 6-minute walk distance; BMI: body mass index; NR: not reported; NS: not significant; QOL: quality of life.

Section Summary: Pritikin Program
No RCTs have evaluated the Pritikin Program; 2 nonrandomized studies in patients with heart disease were identified. Conclusions cannot be drawn from this limited data on the impact on cardiovascular outcomes of intensive cardiac rehabilitation with the Pritikin Program compared with standard outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.

Benson-Henry Institute Program
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of the Benson-Henry Institute Program in individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with diagnosed heart disease.

Interventions
The treatment being considered is the Benson-Henry Institute Program.

The Benson-Henry Institute Program is an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program based on effective exercise, a healthy diet, and a healthy mindset.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are OS, disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Case-Control Studies
Zeng et al. (2013) reported outcomes of a Medicare-sponsored demonstration of 2 intensive lifestyle modification programs in patients with symptomatic coronary heart disease: the Cardiac Wellness Program of the Benson-Henry Mind Body Institute and the Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease.²⁴ This analysis included 461 participants and 1,795 matched controls using Medicare claims data from 1998 to 2008. Four matched controls were sought for each participant from Medicare claims data, 2 of whom had received traditional cardiac rehabilitation within 12 months following their cardiac events (cardiac rehabilitation controls) and 2 of whom had not (non-cardiac rehabilitation controls). Outcomes included mortality rates during the 3 post-enrollment years, total hospitalizations, hospitalizations with a cardiac-related principal discharge diagnosis, and Medicare-paid costs of care. Of the 324 participants in the Benson-Henry Mind Body Medical Institute program analysis, the authors concluded that during the active intervention and follow-up years, total, cardiac, and non-cardiac hospitalizations were lower in the Benson-Henry program participants than their controls for each comparison (p < .001). The investigators further reported that after year 1, the mortality rate was 1.5% in the Benson-Henry program participants compared with 2.5% and 4.2%, respectively, in cardiac rehabilitation and non-cardiac rehabilitation controls. After year 3, comparable figures were 6.2% in Benson-Henry program participants, 10.5% in cardiac rehabilitation controls, and 11.0% in non-cardiac rehabilitation controls. These mortality differences for the Benson-Henry program participants reached borderline significance (p = .08).

Case Series
Casey et al. (2009) reported the results of a case series that evaluated the effects of an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, incorporating components of the Benson-Henry Institute Cardiac Wellness Program at a single center.²⁵ From 1997 to 2005, 637 patients with coronary artery disease were enrolled and completed the program, which consisted of 13 weekly 3 hour sessions with supervised exercise, relaxation techniques, stress management, and behavioral interventions. The mean age of participants was 63 years (range, 27 to 92 years); men comprised 72% of the study population. Results revealed significant improvements in clinical (blood pressure, lipids, weight, exercise conditioning, frequency of symptoms of chest pain, and shortness of breath) and psychological outcomes (general severity index, depression, anxiety, and hostility) (p < .0001) with the program.

Section Summary: Benson-Henry Institute Program
No RCTs have evaluated the Benson-Henry Institute Program; a case-control study found the program participants to have lower total, cardiac, and non-cardiac hospitalizations during the active intervention and follow-up years compared to controls for each comparison. Additionally, program participants had lower mortality rates compared to controls; however, the mortality differences were borderline significant at year 3. A case series also demonstrated that the implementation of components of the Benson-Henry Institute program resulted in an improvement in clinical and psychological outcomes. Conclusions cannot be drawn from these data on the impact of intensive cardiac rehabilitation with the Benson Henry Institute program compared with standard outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.

Post-Acute Cardiac Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on standard management without outpatient cardiac rehabilitation.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with post-acute cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define the post-acute period as symptoms persisting at 4 or more weeks following infection with SARS-CoV-2.26, The World Health Organization developed the following consensus case definition of 'post COVID-19 condition': individuals with "a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually 3 months from the onset of COVID-19 with symptoms and that last for at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction but also others and generally have an impact on everyday functioning. Symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute COVID-19 episode or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms may also fluctuate or relapse over time."²⁷

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are OS, disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring by a cardiologist.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess longer-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Reports of patient rehabilitation after COVID-19 recovery have largely been observational, without clearly identifiable cardiac rehabilitation components within multidisciplinary or cardiorespiratory rehabilitation programs.

No studies specifically assessing the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation programs for post-acute cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified.

Section Summary: Post-Acute Cardiac Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
No direct evidence on the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation programs in patients with post-acute cardiac sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified. Controlled prospective studies in well-defined patient populations with sufficient follow-up duration are necessary to evaluate net health outcomes.

Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of virtual cardiac rehabilitation in individuals who have been diagnosed with heart disease is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with diagnosed heart disease.

Interventions
The treatment being considered is virtual cardiac rehabilitation.

Virtual cardiac rehabilitation is HBCR delivered by virtual or remote interactions between patients and providers, including video conferencing, phone, email, text, smartphone applications, or wearable devices.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are OS, disease-specific survival, symptoms, and morbid events.

Once diagnosed with heart disease, a patient will require lifelong monitoring.

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Systematic Reviews
Many meta-analyses/systematic reviews are available for virtual cardiac rehabilitation.^{28,29,30,31,32,33} In general, these reviews have found significant effects on physical activity, cardiovascular risk factors, and quality of life, but evidence for cardiovascular outcomes is limited.

A Cochrane systematic review by McDonagh et al. (2023) compared home-based cardiac rehabilitation (including a variety of virtual methods) with center-based rehabilitation.³⁴ A total of 24 RCTs were included (N = 3,046). The meta-analysis did not find a significant difference between home and and center-based rehabilitation up to 12 months in the outcomes of: total mortality (risk ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.65 to 2.16) or exercise capacity (standardized mean difference, -0.10; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.04). The authors concluded that home rehabilitation with or without virtual platforms results in similar clinical outcomes; however, the analysis does not provide adequate information on specific virtual rehabilitation programs.

The analysis by Cruz-Cobo et al. (2022) included 20 randomized studies (N = 4,535) of mobile health interventions in patients who had experienced a coronary event.³¹ Beneficial effects of mobile health interventions were found for exercise capacity, physical activity, adherence to treatment, and quality of life. All-cause hospital readmission (p = .04) and hospital readmission for cardiovascular causes (p = .05) were statistically lower in the mobile health intervention group compared to the control group, but these may not be clinically relevant differences (point estimates for actual risk differences were -0.03 and -0.04, respectively). There was no difference between groups in mortality. A major limitation of this study is lack of clarity of how many individuals received mobile health interventions for the purpose of cardiac rehabilitation.

Zhou et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review of smartphone-assisted cardiac rehabilitation compared with usual cardiac rehabilitation.³⁵ A total of 14 RCTs (N = 1,962) were included and key outcomes included peak oxygen update, 6MWD, complicance, and body mass index (BMI). There were no significant differences in terms of 6MWD (weighted mean difference [WMD], 12.88; 95% CI, -0.82 to 26.57) or BMI (WMD, -0.14; 95% CI, -0.34 to 0.06) between groups; however, peak oxygen update (WMD, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.81) and compliance (WMD, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.21 to 2.17) were improved with smartphone-assisted rehabilitation.

Randomized Controlled Trials
Numerous RCTs with virtual cardiac rehabilitation have been published.^{36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46} Of these, only 2 have reported results for cardiovascular outcomes of interest. Indraratna et al. (2022) found that unplanned hospital readmissions and cardiac readmissions were significantly lower with a smartphone-based intervention to facilitate the transition to outpatient cardiac care (including rehabilitation) compared to usual care among 164 patients being discharged after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or heart failure.³⁹ However, only 100 patients in the study received cardiac rehabilitation after discharge and rehospitalization rates were not provided for this cohort alone. Other limitations of this study include short duration of follow-up (6 months) and that enrollment was terminated in March 2020 so the study may not reflect how usual care is delivered in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Piotrowicz et al. (2020) conducted a 9-week RCT of telerehabilitation compared to usual care in 850 patients with heart failure.41, Both groups had a median follow-up of 793 days. The primary outcome (days alive and out of the hospital through end of follow-up) was similar between groups (median, 775 days [telerehabilitation] vs. 776 days [usual care]). There was also no difference between telerehabilitation and usual care in all-cause hospitalization (HR, 0.913; 95% CI, 0.762 to 1.093), cardiovascular hospitalization (HR, 0.837; 95% CI, 0.667 to 1.050), all-cause mortality (HR, 1.035; 95% CI, 0.706 to 1.517), or cardiovascular mortality (HR, 0.985; 95% CI, 0.619 to 1.569). Since the study only included patients with heart failure, the results may not be applicable to patients with other forms of heart disease. Other limitations include a lack of power for hospitalization and mortality outcomes, and that the cardiac monitoring device used in the study may not reflect the effect of video- or smartphone-based virtual rehabilitation methods used in current practice.

Observational Studies
Nkonde-Price et al. (2022) conducted a retrospective study of virtual cardiac rehabilitation compared to traditional cardiac rehabilitation in a cohort of 2,556 patients with cardiovascular disease.⁴⁷ Virtual cardiac rehabilitation consisted of home-based cardiac rehabilitation using a mobile phone application linked to a wearable smartwatch, self-directed exercise sessions, weekly nurse phone calls, and health education for 8 weeks. The primary outcome, all-cause hospitalization during 12 months of follow-up, was lower in patients who experienced the virtual cardiac rehabilitation program compared to traditional outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (14.8% vs. 18.1%; OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.97; p = .03). There was no difference between groups in 30-day or 90-day all-cause or cardiovascular hospitalization. Mortality was not addressed.

Section Summary: Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation
Systematic reviews and RCTs suggest that virtual cardiac rehabilitation may have similar effects on cardiovascular outcomes compared to standard outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, but evidence about the effect on hospital readmission is inconsistent. One RCT in patients with heart failure found no difference between virtual cardiac rehabilitation and standard outpatient cardiac rehabilitation on the primary outcome of days alive and out of the hospital. No RCTs have been adequately powered to detect or reported a difference in all-cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality.

The purpose of the following information is to provide reference material. Inclusion does not imply endorsement or alignment with the evidence review conclusions.

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements
Guidelines or position statements will be considered for inclusion in Supplemental Information if they were issued by, or jointly by, a U.S. professional society, an international society with U.S. representation, or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Priority will be given to guidelines that are informed by a systematic review, include strength of evidence ratings, and include a description of management of conflict of interest.

American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association
The 2022 American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) heart failure guidelines recommend rehabilitation for Stage C heart failure stating, "In patients with HF, a cardiac rehabilitation program can be useful to improve functional capacity, exercise tolerance, and health-related QOL."⁴⁸ In 2023, the ACC/AHA published a statement on supervised exercise training specific to patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and concluded, "data reviewed herein demonstrate a comparable or larger magnitude of improvement in exercise capacity from supervised exercise training in patients with chronic HFpEF compared with those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction."⁴⁹

American Heart Association
In 2007, the American Heart Association and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation issued a consensus statement on the core components of cardiac rehabilitation programs.² The core components included patient assessment before beginning the program, nutritional counseling, weight management, blood pressure management, lipid management, diabetes management, tobacco cessation, psychosocial management, physical activity counseling, and exercise training. Programs that only offered supervised exercise training were not considered cardiac rehabilitation. The guidelines specified the assessment, interventions, and expected outcomes for each of the core components. For example, symptom-limited exercise testing before exercise training was strongly recommended. The guidelines did not specify the optimal overall length of programs or the number or duration of sessions.

In 2019, the American Heart Association, with the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the American College of Cardiology, released a scientific statement on home-based cardiac rehabilitation (HBCR).⁵⁰ They make the following suggestions for healthcare providers:

Recommend center-based cardiac rehabilitation (CBCR) to all eligible patients.
As an alternative, recommend HBCR to clinically stable low- and moderate-risk patients who cannot attend CBCR.
Design and test HBCR “using effective processes of care for CVD [cardiovascular disease] secondary prevention.”
For healthcare organizations, develop and support the following:
- Maximization of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) referrals
- High-quality CBCR and HBCR programs “using evidence-based standards and guidelines, strategies to maximize patient adherence both in the shorter and longer-term, and outcome tracking methods to help promote continuous quality improvement.”
- “Testing and implementation of an evidence-based hybrid approach to CR" that are optimized for each patient and that "promote long-term adherence and favorable behavior change.”
For CR professionals, “work with other healthcare professionals and policymakers to implement additional research and ... expand the evidence base for HBCR.”

The guideline does not use the terminology "virtual" cardiac rehabilitation, but it states that electronic tools such as text messaging, smartphone applications, and wearable sensors may allow patients to follow personalized recommendations for exercise, dietary, and behavioral interventions, and thus expand the number of patients who can participate in cardiac rehabilitation. Other benefits of technology-assisted HBCR include greater patient engagement and patient-provider communication. The panel stated that studies were needed regarding the effect of technology-assisted HBCR on outcomes.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations
Not applicable

Ongoing and Unpublished Clinical Trials
Some currently ongoing and unpublished trials that might influence this review are listed in Table 9.

Table 9. Summary of Key Trials

NCT No.	Trial Name	Planned Enrollment	Completion Date
Ongoing
NCT06077201	Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Using a Novel Mobile Health Exercise Regimen Following Transcatheter Heart Valve Interventions	375	Oct 2026
NCT05933083	MCNAIR Study: coMparative effeCtiveness of iN-person and teleheAlth cardIac Rehabilitation	516	Oct 2027
NCT05972070	Integration of Telemedicine and Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: Feasibility, Efficacy, and Adherence	500	Nov 2023
NCT04245813	Effectiveness of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Patients With Heart Failure	144	May 2023
NCT02984449	Preventive Heart Rehabilitation in Patients Undergoing Elective Open Heart Surgery to Prevent Complications and to Improve Quality of Life (Heart-ROCQ) - A Prospective Randomized Open Controlled Trial, Blinded End-point (PROBE)	350	Aug 2025
NCT05270993	An Integrative Cardiac Rehabilitation Employing Smartphone Technology (iCREST) for Patients With Post-myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial	124	Dec 2023
NCT05689385	The Effectiveness of eHealth-based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Post-myocardial Infarction Patients：a Randomized Controlled Trial	150	Dec 2024
NCT05610358	Efficacy of Smartphone Application Based Rehabilitations in Patients With Chronic Respiratory or Cardiovascular Disease	162	Dec 2024
NCT02791685	Smartphone Delivered In-home Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation	300	Dec 2026

NCT: national clinical trial.

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Maulana S, Trisyani Y, Mirwanti R, et al. The Potential of Cardiac Telerehabilitation as Delivery Rehabilitation Care Model in Heart Failure during COVID-19 and Transmissible Disease Outbreak: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Latest RCTs. Medicina (Kaunas). Sep 21 2022; 58(10). PMID 36295482
Ramachandran HJ, Jiang Y, Tam WWS, et al. Effectiveness of home-based cardiac telerehabilitation as an alternative to Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. May 25 2022; 29(7): 1017-1043. PMID 34254118
McDonagh ST, Dalal H, Moore S, et al. Home-based versus centre-based cardiac rehabilitation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Oct 27 2023; 10(10): CD007130. PMID 37888805
Zhou M, Xu Y, Zhang L, et al. Effectiveness of smartphone-assisted cardiac rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Disabil Rehabil. Aug 09 2023: 1-10. PMID 37559408
Nagatomi Y, Ide T, Higuchi T, et al. Home-based cardiac rehabilitation using information and communication technology for heart failure patients with frailty. ESC Heart Fail. Aug 2022; 9(4): 2407-2418. PMID 35534907
Brouwers RWM, Kemps HMC, Herkert C, et al. A 12-week cardiac telerehabilitation programme does not prevent relapse of physical activity levels: long-term results of the FIT@Home trial. Eur J Prev Cardiol. May 25 2022; 29(7): e255-e257. PMID 35040993
Brouwers RWM, Kraal JJ, Regis M, et al. Effectiveness of Cardiac Telerehabilitation With Relapse Prevention: SmartCare-CAD Randomized Controlled Trial. J Am Coll Cardiol. Jun 01 2021; 77(21): 2754-2756. PMID 34045031
Indraratna P, Biswas U, McVeigh J, et al. A Smartphone-Based Model of Care to Support Patients With Cardiac Disease Transitioning From Hospital to the Community (TeleClinical Care): Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. Feb 28 2022; 10(2): e32554. PMID 35225819
Snoek JA, Prescott EI, van der Velde AE, et al. Effectiveness of Home-Based Mobile Guided Cardiac Rehabilitation as Alternative Strategy for Nonparticipation in Clinic-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Among Elderly Patients in Europe: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. Apr 01 2021; 6(4): 463-468. PMID 33112363
Piotrowicz E, Pencina MJ, Opolski G, et al. Effects of a 9-Week Hybrid Comprehensive Telerehabilitation Program on Long-term Outcomes in Patients With Heart Failure: The Telerehabilitation in Heart Failure Patients (TELEREH-HF) Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol. Mar 01 2020; 5(3): 300-308. PMID 31734701
Yudi MB, Clark DJ, Tsang D, et al. SMARTphone-based, early cardiac REHABilitation in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial. Coron Artery Dis. Aug 01 2021; 32(5): 432-440. PMID 32868661
Hakala S, Kivistö H, Paajanen T, et al. Effectiveness of Distance Technology in Promoting Physical Activity in Cardiovascular Disease Rehabilitation: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, A Pilot Study. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. Jun 18 2021; 8(2): e20299. PMID 34142970
Dalli Peydró E, Sanz Sevilla N, Tuzón Segarra MT, et al. A randomized controlled clinical trial of cardiac telerehabilitation with a prolonged mobile care monitoring strategy after an acute coronary syndrome. Clin Cardiol. Jan 2022; 45(1): 31-41. PMID 34952989
Maddison R, Rawstorn JC, Stewart RAH, et al. Effects and costs of real-time cardiac telerehabilitation: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. Heart. Jan 2019; 105(2): 122-129. PMID 30150328
Lear SA, Singer J, Banner-Lukaris D, et al. Randomized trial of a virtual cardiac rehabilitation program delivered at a distance via the Internet. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. Nov 2014; 7(6): 952-9. PMID 25271050
Nkonde-Price C, Reynolds K, Najem M, et al. Comparison of Home-Based vs Center-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation in Hospitalization, Medication Adherence, and Risk Factor Control Among Patients With Cardiovascular Disease. JAMA Netw Open. Aug 01 2022; 5(8): e2228720. PMID 36006642
Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. May 03 2022; 79(17): e263-e421. PMID 35379503
Sachdev V, Sharma K, Keteyian SJ, et al. Supervised Exercise Training for Chronic Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. Apr 18 2023; 81(15): 1524-1542. PMID 36958952
Thomas RJ, Beatty AL, Beckie TM, et al. Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Scientific Statement From the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the American Heart Association, and the American College of Cardiology. J Am Coll Cardiol. Jul 09 2019; 74(1): 133-153. PMID 31097258
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs (20.31). 2010; http://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/details/ncd- details.aspx?NCDId = 339. Accessed January 25, 2024.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Trump Administration Drives Telehealth Services in Medicaid and Medicare. October 14, 2020. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-drives-telehealth-services-medicaid-and-medicare. Accessed January 23, 2024.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. List of Telehealth Services. Updated November 13, 2023. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/Telehealth/Telehealth-Codes. Accessed January 21, 2024.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Billing and Coding: Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation. Revision effective date October 1, 2023. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.aspx?articleid = 54070. Accessed January 29, 2024.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Decision Memo for Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) Program - Dr. Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease (CAG-00419N). 2010; https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/R125NCD.pdf. Accessed January 27, 2024.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Decision Memo for Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation (ICR) Program - Pritikin Program (CAG-00418N). 2010; https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage- database/details/nca-decision- memo.aspx?NCAId = 239&NCDId = 339. Accessed January 28, 2024.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Decision memo for intensive cardiac rehabilitation (ICR) program - Benson-Henry Institute Cardiac Wellness Program (CAG-00434N). May 6, 2014. https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/sites/default/files/hhs-guidance-documents/R175NCD.pdf. Accessed January 24, 2024.

Coding Section

Codes	Number	Description
CPT	93015	Cardiovascular stress test using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress; with physician supervision, with interpretation and report
	93016	Same as 93015, but with physician supervision only, and without interpretation and report
	93017	Cardiovascular stress test using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress; tracing only, without interpretation and report
	93018	Cardiovascular stress test using maximal or submaximal treadmill or bicycle exercise, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, and/or pharmacological stress; interpretation and report only
	93797	Physician or other qualified health care professional services for outpatient cardiac rehab; without continuous ECG monitoring (per session)
	93798	; with continuous ECG monitoring (per session)
HCPCS	G0422	Intensive cardiac rehabilitation; with or without continuous ECG monitoring with exercise, per session
	G0423	Intensive cardiac rehabilitation; with or without continuous ECG monitoring; without exercise, per session
	S9472	Cardiac rehabilitation program, nonphysician provider, per diem
ICD-10-CM	I20.8-I20.9	Angina pectoris, other/unspecified code range
	I21.01-I21.4	ST elevation (STEMI) and non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction code range
	I50.1-I50.9	Heart failure code range
	Z94.1	Heart transplant status
	Z94.3	Heart and lungs transplant status
	Z95.1	Presence of aortocoronary bypass graft
	Z95.2-Z95.4	Presence of heart valve code range
	Z95.5	Presence of coronary angioplasty implant and graft
	Z98.61	Coronary angioplasty status
ICD-10-PCS		Not applicable. Policy is only for outpatient services.
Type of Service	Medical
Place of Service	Outpatient

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive.

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community, and other nonaffiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies and accredited national guidelines.

History From 2014 Forward

08/01/2024	Annual review, adding policy statement regarding cardiac rehabilitation and COVIDlong COVID. Also updating rationale and references.
08/01/2023	Annual review, adding policy statement about virtual cardiac rehabilitation. Also updating rationale and references.
08/16/2022	Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, rationale and references.
08/06/2021	Annual review, adding Benson-Henry Institute Program to the list of not medically necessary rehabilitation programs. No other changes to policy intent. Also updating description, background, rationale and references.
08/04/2020	Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, rationale and references.
08/06/2019	Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating rationale and references.
08/13/2018	Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating rationale and references.
08/28/2017	Annual review, adding verbiage to indicate intensive cardiac rehabiliataion with the Ornish Program for reversing heart disease or Pritikin Program is investigational. Also updating background, description, rationale and references.
08/11/2016	Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, rationale and references.
08/11/2015	Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updated background, description, rationale and references. Added coding.
08/04/2014	Annual review. Added two additional diagnoses in the medical necessity area: current stable angina pectoris and compensated heart failure. Updated description, background, rationale and references.

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Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Outpatient Setting - CAM 80308