4951Long-term prognostic value of adherence to leisure time physical activity prescription in patients undergoing exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation: an inverse dose-response relationship

Abstract Background The benefits associated with leisure time physical activity (LTPA) in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention has been known for decades. Although several studies demonstrated that exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs reduce mortality, the long-term prognostic value of adherence to LTPA presciption after exercise-based CR has not been well estrablished. Purpose Evaluate the long-term prognostic value of adherence to LTPA presciption after exercise-based CR in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization and/or cardiac valve surgery. Methods A prospective registry of 2.340 consecutive patients, admitted to the Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Unit was created. All patients completed a standard in-hospital CR program. Data regarding LTPA and outcomes were collected. End points were: overall and cardiovascular (CV) mortality and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). The population has been classified into: 1) Physical inactivity: almost completely sedentary or occasional physical activity; 2) Physical activity: regular aerobic LTPA. The amount of LTPA was further collected according to minutes per week. Results A total of 1.892 patients with available data on LTPA and outcomes were included in the study; mean follow-up was 50±23 months. One-thousand and twenty-two (54%) patients underwent myocardial revascularization (CABG), 662 (35%) cardiac valve surgery, 208 (11%) combined valve and CABG surgery. Adherence to a regular LTPA was found in the 42% (792 participants) of the population, while 58% (1.100 patients) reported occasional LTPA or a complete physical inactivity. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a lower overall mortality (p