Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.3
Journals
JCM
Special Issues
Clinical Cardiac Rehabilitation: Integrating Multidimensional Approaches for Enhanced Cardiovascular Health
jcm-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for JCM Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Clinical Cardiac Rehabilitation: Integrating Multidimensional Approaches for Enhanced Cardiovascular Health

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Rehabilitation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2026 | Viewed by 1213

Editor

Dr. Gaia Cattadori

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IRCCS Multimedica, Cardiovascular Research Unit, 35128 Milan, Italy
Interests: rehabilitation; exercise physiology; exercise performance; exercise testing; physical activity assessment; exercise; physical activity; oxygen consumption; cardiac rehabilitation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing; cardiovascular rehabilitation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Clinical Cardiac Rehabilitation Centers are increasingly recognized as optimal settings for the management of cardiovascular patients. They provide integrated clinical and instrumental assessments, supervised exercise training, and evidence-based strategies for both primary and secondary prevention through a multidisciplinary and multiparametric approach.

This Special Issue aims to collect and disseminate original studies, clinical cases, and reviews that highlight the potential of the rehabilitation setting within the healthcare system, both for promoting health in the context of primary prevention and for implementing timely and effective secondary prevention interventions.

Dr. Gaia Cattadori
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiac rehabilitation
  • multidimensional approach
  • integrating approach
  • cardiovascular health
  • primary and secondary prevention

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 1451 KB  
Article
Functional Thresholds Derived from Dynamometry and 6-Minute Walk Test with Morphofunctional Assessment to Guide Individualized Exercise Prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation
by María del Mar Amaya-Campos, Ramón Zafra Jiménez, Rocío Fernández-Jiménez, Isabel M. Vegas-Aguilar, María García-Olivares, Mónica Diaz-Cordovés Rego, Yolanda Ruiz Molina, Adela María Gómez González, Angel Montiel Trujillo, Francisco Tinahones-Madueño, José Manuel García-Almeida and Lucía Jiménez Laguna
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(11), 4336; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15114336 - 3 Jun 2026
Viewed by 307
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To evaluate the associations and concurrent validity between baseline functional and morphofunctional assessments in patients with cardiovascular disease participating in a Phase II cardiac rehabilitation program, as a basis for informing individualized exercise prescription. Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To evaluate the associations and concurrent validity between baseline functional and morphofunctional assessments in patients with cardiovascular disease participating in a Phase II cardiac rehabilitation program, as a basis for informing individualized exercise prescription. Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective cross-sectional study of patients enrolled in a Phase II outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program (January 2021–December 2023, Málaga). Functional assessments included handgrip strength (HGS), isometric biceps and quadriceps dynamometry, and direct assessment of 20-repetition maximum (20RM) through dynamic resistance exercises using external loads (defined as the maximum load allowing approximately 20 repetitions to near muscular fatigue). Aerobic capacity was evaluated using the 6-min walk test (6 MWT) and a modified Bruce exercise stress test with estimated METs. Morphofunctional assessment included vector bioimpedance analysis (phase angle [PhA], fat-free mass [FFM], body cell mass [BCM]) and rectus femoris ultrasound (cross-sectional area [RF-CSA] and contracted diameter [RF-CON]). Correlation and linear regression analyses were performed. Results: The sample included 223 participants (78.0% male; age 57.7 ± 8.6 years). HGSmax correlated strongly with 20RM biceps (r = 0.89) and moderately with quadriceps (r = 0.72). 6 MWT distance and speed correlated with ergometry-derived METs (r = 0.38–0.40; p < 0.001), whereas Borg ratings correlated inversely with METs and exercise time (r = −0.32 to −0.34; p < 0.001). PhA, BCM, FFM, and rectus femoris ultrasound measures correlated with both strength and aerobic outcomes (ρ ≈ 0.33–0.50; all p < 0.001). In regression analyses, HGSmax was the main predictor of 20RM biceps (R2 = 0.792) and showed moderate predictive capacity for quadriceps performance (R2 = 0.521). The MET model demonstrated limited explanatory capacity (R2 = 0.288). Conclusions: The integration of simple, accessible, and reproducible tools such as HGS and the 6 MWT with morphofunctional parameters may provide a pragmatic approach to support individualized exercise prescription in cardiac rehabilitation. While stronger associations were observed for upper-limb resistance performance, the predictive capacity for lower-limb strength and aerobic exercise intensity was more moderate and should be interpreted cautiously. These findings support the potential clinical utility of combining functional and morphofunctional assessments in routine cardiac rehabilitation practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Cardiac Rehabilitation: Integrating Multidimensional Approaches for Enhanced Cardiovascular Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1540 KB  
Article
Pericardial Effusion After Cardiac Surgery: Prevalence, Characteristics, Risk Factors and Management
by Gaia Cattadori, Anna Picozzi, Elena Tagliabue, Giovanna Elsa Ute Muti Schuenemann, Tiziana Staine, Roberta Chiodelli, Anna Scaglione, Barbara Baronio, Silvia Di Marco and Claudio Anzà
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 3101; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15083101 - 18 Apr 2026
Viewed by 617
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Pericardial effusion (PEf) is a frequent finding after cardiac surgery. Progression to cardiac tamponade (CT) is a rare but life-threatening complication. Current evidence remains limited due to insufficient data on prevalence, progression predictors and management strategies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed anamnestic, clinical, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Pericardial effusion (PEf) is a frequent finding after cardiac surgery. Progression to cardiac tamponade (CT) is a rare but life-threatening complication. Current evidence remains limited due to insufficient data on prevalence, progression predictors and management strategies. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed anamnestic, clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic and therapeutic data from 2662 patients (74 ± 11 years) admitted to the Cardiac Rehabilitation ward between 2022 and 2024. Results: Among 2152 (81%) cardiac surgery patients, 382 (18%) developed PEf: 58% mild, 38% moderate, and 4% severe. Patients developing PEf tended to be younger and more frequently male. In addition, PEf development was seen more commonly after aortic and combined surgeries. All patients with severe PEf or CT had undergone surgery via sternotomy, whereas minithoracotomy was inversely associated with PEf severity. Postoperative complications occurred in 92% of PEf patients, mainly due to arrhythmia, hemodynamic deterioration, or heart failure. Overall outcome was favourable in 98% of patients. CT occurred in eight patients (2%). Anticoagulation therapy was more frequent among patients who developed PEf or CT. Preventive colchicine was prescribed in only 16% of cases. No PEf-specific therapy was administered in 56% of PEf patients, while corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were used in 28% and 8% of cases, respectively, without surgical wound complications. No PEf recurrences were observed during follow up (517 ± 424 days). Conclusions: PEf is a common complication after cardiac surgery, more frequently in young males, usually of mild or moderate severity. The majority of these cases resolve using either a conservative or pharmacological approach, predominantly via corticosteroids. Patients undergoing aortic surgery, experiencing postoperative complications (especially arrhythmias), and receiving anticoagulation therapy were associated with severe PEf or CT. Despite guideline recommendations, colchicine remains markedly underutilized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Cardiac Rehabilitation: Integrating Multidimensional Approaches for Enhanced Cardiovascular Health)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-2
Back to TopTop