Cluster Randomized Trial of a Digital Quality Improvement Intervention on LDLCholesterol Control

A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Trial to Assess the Effect of a Digitally Enabled Quality Improvement Intervention on LDL Cholesterol Control in Atherosclerotic Established Cardiovascular Disease Patients

Elevation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic established cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Reduction of LDL-C with statins has been clearly demonstrated as a robust and cost-effective way of reducing the burden of ASCVD in individuals at risk. ASCVD is the leading cause of death and disability in Brazil and therefore prevention guidelines recommend LDL-C reduction with the aim of reducing disease burden in individuals at risk. Studies have shown a clear hiatus on awareness and treatment of cholesterol in Brazil. Thus, it became imperative to develop knowledge translation projects aiming at bridging the gap between science and clinical practice and ultimately leading to better outcomes. Cluster randomized clinical trials are the highest quality type of clinical research to test educational and active interventions aimed at changing behaviors or clinical practices. Therefore, this study is a pragmatic cluster randomized trial to assess the effect of a digitally enabled quality improvement intervention on LDL-C control in atherosclerotic established cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients.

Elevation in low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic established cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Reduction of LDL-C with statins has been clearly demonstrated as a robust and cost-effective way of reducing the burden of ASCVD in individuals at risk. ASCVD is the leading cause of death and disability in Brazil and therefore prevention guidelines recommend LDL-C reduction with the aim of reducing disease burden in individuals at risk. Studies have shown a clear hiatus on awareness and treatment of cholesterol in Brazil. Thus, it became imperative to develop knowledge translation projects aiming at bridging the gap between science and clinical practice and ultimately leading to better outcomes. Cluster randomized clinical trials are the highest quality type of clinical research to test educational and active interventions aimed at changing behaviors or clinical practices.To our knowledge, data from this study will be crucial to leverage LDL-C treatment in Brazil, considering efforts to improve population health. The present study represents one of the first trials testing a quality improvement (QI) intervention targeted to LDL-C reduction in ASCVD patients conducted in a middle-income country. These results will address whether the proposed QI intervention is feasible and effective in these settings. Therefore, this study is a pragmatic cluster randomized trial to assess the effect of a digitally enabled QI intervention on LDL-C control in ASCVD patients. This study will have 2 phases. Phase 1 will be an observational phase prior to randomization of clusters with the objective to assess the baseline LDL-C levels achieved for target patients. Phase 2 will be an interventional phase, in which clusters will be randomized to the digitally enabled quality improvement intervention or usual care, with the objective to assess the effect of a digitally enabled QI intervention on control of LDL-C levels in ASCVD patients.

Patient Eligibility Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Capable of using a smartphone with iOS or Android System AND

• Established ASCVD, including:

  1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

     • Prior myocardial infarction
     • Prior coronary revascularization - percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
     • Angiographic or computerized tomography (CT)-imaging evidence of coronary atherosclerosis (≥ 50% stenosis in at least one major epicardial coronary artery)

  2. Stroke:

     • Prior ischemic stroke thought not to be caused by an embolic cause (e.g., atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease or mural thrombus)

  3. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):

     • Prior documentation of a resting ankle-brachial index ≤ 0.9
     • History of prior percutaneous or surgical revascularization of an iliac, femoral, or popliteal artery
     • Prior non-traumatic amputation of a lower extremity due to peripheral artery disease
     • History of prior percutaneous or surgical carotid artery revascularization
     • Carotid Stenosis > 50% on prior angiography or ultrasound AND

• Provision of informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a recent cardiovascular event, less than 3 months prior to study inclusion
• Patients with LDL-C ≤ 50 mg/dL
• Current participation in other clinical trials involving lipid lowering treatments
• Patients that do not consent to trial participation

Cluster Eligibility Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Outpatient Clinics from public or private hospitals OR, Private Practices, which assist patients with previous ASCVD on secondary prevention that provide a unit/institution authorization form for participation in the trial AND
• Minimum monthly volume of 20 ASCVD patients

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clusters that do not provide the unit/institution authorization form.