COMBINED CLINICAL AND OUTPATIENT CARDIAC REHABILITATION

We report upon results from a combined form of cardiac rehabilitation program, consisting of 2 weeks of clinical rehabilitation, followed by further 2 weeks of ambulatory rehabilitation. 346 patients (post myoc ardial infarction, after cardiac surgery or PTCA) fulfilled the primar y enclosing criteria (lodging less than or equal to 40 km, age < 70 ye ars). 151 of 346 (43.6%) patients were regarded as not eligible for am bulatory rehabilitation on medical grounds. After further disregarding patients with problems in daily traffic, or those with social or othe r organization shortcomings, the combined form of cardiac rehabilitati on was lastly offered to 151 patients. Only 43 patients were willing t o participate (28.5%/12.4%). The combined form of cardiac rehabilitati on presented here is safe and probably equal to clinical cardiac rehab ilitation, yet many patients are not eligible on medical or technical grounds, and among the suitable ones, acceptance is low.