• cardiovascular mortality
• non fatal re-MI
• angina requiring hospitalization
• urgent revascularization procedures
• hospitalization for heart failure
• non fatal stroke

Cardiac 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 GOSPEL study investigates the benefits of a programme of continued educational and behavioural intervention to achieve optimal long-term secondary prevention goals.

Study partially sponsored by Società Prodotti Antibiotici

• Giannuzzi P, Temporelli PL, Maggioni AP, Ceci V, Chieffo C, Gattone M, Griffo R, Marchioli R, Schweiger C, Tavazzi L, Urbinati S, Valagussa F; GOSPEL. 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. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2005 Dec;12(6):555-61.
• Giannuzzi P, Temporelli PL, Marchioli R, Maggioni AP, Balestroni G, Ceci V, Chieffo C, Gattone M, Griffo R, Schweiger C, Tavazzi L, Urbinati S, Valagussa F, Vanuzzo D; GOSPEL Investigators. Global secondary prevention strategies to limit event recurrence after myocardial infarction: results of the GOSPEL study, a multicenter, randomized controlled trial from the Italian Cardiac Rehabilitation Network. Arch Intern Med. 2008 Nov 10;168(20):2194-204.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Recent myocardial infarction (within 3 months after the index event)
• Standard rehabilitation program of 3-6 weeks performed
• Informed consent (obtained before any study specific procedure)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age > 75 years
• Any condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the evaluation of efficacy or be associated with poor adherence to the protocol;
• Presence of any non-cardiac disease (e.g. cancer) that is likely to significantly shorten life expectancy