A WeChat platform program (WCPP) for full-process management of patients with cardiac valve interventional surgery based on psycho-cardiology: Protocol of a mixed-method study

Abstract

Background Valvular heart disease (VHD) is the third most common cardiovascular disease (CVD), which reduced patients’ quality of life, placing a burden on patients, families and health systems, even life-threatening. Psycho-cardiology was a hot topic in recent years, revealed the relationship between mental illness and heart disease. This mixed-method study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of WCPP, which including hospital-to-home transitional care, remote intelligent monitoring and decision AIDS, to promote the physical and mental health of patients.Methods/Design: A mixed-method study was conducted in a cardiac valve interventional surgery (CVIS) center in southwest China. A total of 154 patients will receive the intervention. Patients in the intervention group will receive the WCPP, while patients in the control group will using the traditional surgical management model, both of them will be followed up at the1, 3, 6, 12 months after discharge. The primary outcome is the Chinese version of the short-form General Health Questionnaire (SF-36). Secondary outcome measures including the 6-minute Walk Test (6MWT), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), Patient satisfaction (%), Length of Hospital Stay (LOS). In addition, qualitative research was used to evaluate the psychological state and experience of patients.Discussion Our study is one of the few involving patients with CVIS and the first to use psycho-cardiology in those patients with a full-process management. The study population is mostly from southwest China with a wide range of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Once completed, this study will be a rich resource of information on how to use the remote full-process management platform in CVIS patients.Trial registration: ChiCTR2400081052, Registered on 21 February 2024. The trial complies with SPIRIT and CONSORT guidelines.