Overview
A single-group, multi-center, non-randomized clinical trial will be conducted to assess the feasibility of implementing an enhanced virtual world-based cardiac rehabilitation (VWCR) program within a muti-site clinical trial.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Indication for CR according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
guidelines (diagnosed within the preceding 12 months) to include one or more of the
- following
-
- Myocardial infarction
- Coronary artery bypass surgery
- Current stable angina (chest pain)
- Heart valve repair or replacement
- Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or coronary stenting
- Heart or heart-lung transplant
- Stable chronic heart failure
- Receiving care at one of the participating CR centers
- Age ≥18 years
- Basic Internet navigation skills
- Active email address
- Access to Internet at home or public access (church, library, etc) for 3 virtual visits per week
Exclusion Criteria:
- High risk patients according to the AACVPR risk stratification given safety concern
of unsupervised exercise
- Patients receiving continuous inotropic support
- Recent receipt of a mechanical support device
- Presence of hemodynamically unstable dysrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia)
- Decompensated heart failure
- Symptomatic valvular heart disease
- Uncontrolled angina
- Receiving continuous inotropic support
- Presence of a mechanical circulatory support device
- Decompensated heart failure
- Symptomatic valvular heart disease
- Uncontrolled angina
- Presence of hemodynamically unstable dysrhythmias (e.g., ventricular tachycardia) given safety concern of unsupervised exercise
- Pregnancy (due to associated hormonal and weight changes) per patient report
- Visual/hearing impairment or mental disability that would preclude independent use of the VW platform
- Non-English-speaking patients due to logistical challenges with real time translation over a virtual platform