GlObal Secondary Prevention strategiEs to Limit event recurrence after myocardial infarction: the GOSPEL study. A trial from the Italian Cardiac Rehabilitation Network: rationale and design.

BackgroundCardiac rehabilitation programmes are a proven treatment for individuals with recent myocardial infarction, resulting in reduced morbidity and mortality compared to usual care. Unfortunately, following completion of a cardiac rehabilitation programme, risk factors and lifestyle behaviours may deteriorate. The GlObal Secondary Prevention strategiEs to Limit event recurrence after myocardial infarction (GOSPEL) study investigates the benefits of a programme of continued educational and behavioural interventions to achieve optimal long-term secondary prevention goals. Design This will be a multicentre, randomized, controlled study carried out in 78 Italian cardiac rehabilitation centres.MethodsAfter completion of an initial cardiac rehabilitation programme, patients with recent (<3 months) myocardial infarction were randomized to either a long-lasting (over 3 years) multifactorial continued educational and behavioural programme (intensive approach) or usual care (control) group. Intensive approach ...