[Cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction in France: still not prescribed enough]

Abstract

Despite well-documented benefits for patients after myocardial infarction, cardiac rehabilitation is underutilized in most countries. In France, a recent study showed a participation rate of 22.7 %, with huge regional disparities for unknown reasons. In this paper, we analyze some demographic particularities for explaining these curious results. Then, we review in the literature the complex factors influencing patient's referral in cardiac rehabilitation (patient's believes, role of the physician, health system's organization…), and the best ways of improving cardiac rehabilitation rate or finding adequate alternatives.

Keywords: Barriers and enablers; Cardiac rehabilitation; Facteurs d’orientation; Factors of referral; Obstacles et facteurs favorisants; Réadaptation cardiaque.