Patient perspectives on outpatient cardiac rehab participation post transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Abstract

Rehabilitation challenges faced by older adults (age ≥65 years) with advanced cardiac disease who are participating in prehabilitation (prehab), and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore: (1) patients' perceptions of prehab and outpatient CR, and (2) what are the perceived barriers and facilitators to participation in prehab and outpatient CR following a TAVI procedure. In this qualitative study guided by an interpretive description approach, we interviewed older adults recovering from TAVI, post completing prehab. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 11 individuals (8 male, 3 female). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis approach guided by the Bronfenbrenner's Social Ecological (SE) Model. Four themes emerged related to their rehabilitation experiences, namely (1) the need of support from care partners, (2) a desire to get back to "normal", (3) access to services, and (4) the delivery of the rehabilitation program. Older adults recovering from TAVI report multilevel barriers to CR participation, post prehab. The need for individualized and timely outreach post discharge may be key in promoting program participation.