Rationale and design for a cardiovascular screening and prevention study with tele-cardiology in Mediterranean Italy: the CAPITAL study (CArdiovascular Prevention wIth Telecardiology in ApuLia).

摘要

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in middle-aged and older adults in most European countries [1]. Despite recent advance in treatment, leading to a considerable reduction in cardiovascular mortality the number of cardiovascular disease patients may actually be increasing because of aging populations, and the improving prognosis of coronary patients due to more effective treatments for acute coronary heart disease, revascularization and use of prophylactic drug therapies [2]. All these factors are contributing to an enlarging pool of coronary patients, who are at high risk of myocardial reinfarction and heart failure, bearing heavily on medical costs.