Uptake and Effectiveness of Outpatient vs. Residential Cardiac Rehabilitation After Myocardial Infarction: A Nationwide Analysis

<b>What is already known?:</b> Cardiac rehabilitation improves outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease.Despite its established efficacy, cardiac rehabilitation participation remains suboptimal. Improving access to cardiac rehabilitation through establishing dedicated regional centers may improve participation, but also crowd-out existing options of cardiac rehabilitation.The comparative effectiveness of different cardiac rehabilitation modalities (e.g., comprehensive outpatient versus short-term residential cardiac rehabilitation) remains understudied.<b>What does this study add?:</b> Expanding cardiac rehabilitation services (by setting up dedicated regional comprehensive outpatient centers) significantly improves participation in cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction.Participation in either comprehensive outpatient or short-term residential cardiac rehabilitation after myocardial infarction is associated with improved outcomes (i.e., a significant 42% and 21% risk reduction in death or cardiovascular hospitalization, respectively).Comprehensive outpatient cardiac rehabilitation yields superior risk reductions primarily through reduced cardiovascular hospitalizations.