Digital Remote Management for Care and Continuous Optimization Versus Usual Care in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease (DigiCare-CHD)

"Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a leading cause of global mortality. While percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) significantly improves acute survival, patients continue to face substantial residual cardiovascular risk driven by the progression of systemic atherosclerosis. Rigorous management of blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is imperative for secondary prevention. However, achieving simultaneous targets (BP < 130/80 mmHg and LDL-C < 1.4 mmol/L) in real-world practice is challenging due to clinical inertia and suboptimal patient adherence. Traditional outpatient follow-up is often fragmented and reactive, failing to provide the continuous monitoring required for optimal risk factor control.

The DigiCare-CHD trial serves as a prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial designed to enroll 792 patients who have successfully undergone PCI for acute or chronic coronary syndromes. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the Digital Remote Management group or the Usual Care group, with a follow-up period of 12 months.

Patients in the intervention arm will utilize a digital remote management platform. This system integrates home monitoring to track BP, lipid profiles, and physical activity. Key features include AI-driven alerts for abnormal values, automated decision support for medication titration (verified by physicians), and targeted health education. The primary endpoint is the rate of dual goal attainment for BP and LDL-C at 12 months. DigiCare-CHD aims to establish a proactive, closed-loop management strategy to effectively reduce residual cardiovascular risk and improve long-term prognosis in the post-PCI population."

Inclusion criteria

• Age 18-75 years
• Diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) or Chronic Coronary Syndrome (CCS)
• Status post-successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
• Possession of a smartphone and ability to operate the application (independently or with caregiver assistance).
• Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Heart Failure: NYHA Class III-IV or LVEF < 40%.
• Severe hepatic dysfunction (ALT/AST ≥3xULN or Total Bilirubin >1.5 mg/dl)
• Severe renal dysfunction (eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73m² or requiring dialysis)
• Uncontrolled hypothyroidism (TSH >1.5xULN or >10 mIU/L, or unstable dosage within 6 weeks)
• Life expectancy < 1 year due to non-cardiovascular comorbidities
• Severe sensory (hearing/vision) or cognitive impairment precluding device use
• Conditions affecting adherence (e.g., substance use disorder, history of alcohol abuse)