Clinician and Patient Perspectives on Cardiac Rehabilitation for Type 1 vs Type 2 Myocardial Infarction.

Abstract

Background Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is recommended after myocardial infarction (MI), but perceptions of its role after type 2 MI remain unclear. Objectives The aim of the study is to assess clinician and patient perceptions of CR benefits and safety after type 2 MI, clinician-reported referral frequency, and the willingness of patients to participate. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 118 clinicians from 2,250 invitations across Mass General Brigham completed a survey comparing perceptions of CR after type 1 vs type 2 MI. Fifty type 2 MI inpatients at a single academic center completed a survey assessing perceptions of CR. Results Among 110 clinicians with complete paired responses, fewer self-reported "always" or "often" referring patients after type 2 MI vs type 1 MI (30.0% vs 80.0%; paired difference: -50.0 percentage points; 95% CI: -59.4 to -40.2; P Conclusions Clinicians self-reported lower CR referral frequency after type 2 MI than after type 1 MI, with lower perceived benefit and barriers related to CR eligibility and referral process familiarity. Most patients with type 2 MI perceive CR as beneficial and report hypothetical willingness to participate if referred.