Home›Cardiology› SK-121 digital health program improves disease knowledge and medication adherence after PCI
SK-121 digital health program improves disease knowledge and medication adherence after PCIDigital health program improves knowledge and blood pressure for heart patients
Frontiers in MedicinePublished July 22, 2026Study authors: Elias Freyr Gudmundsson, Bartosz Dobies, Brynja Laxdal, Inga Valborg Olafsdottir, Ingibjörg Davidsdo…DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease
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Key Takeaway
Interpret secondary benefits of SK-121 cautiously; the primary SMART2 risk score did not improve.
This single-centre randomized controlled trial enrolled 200 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to evaluate the SK-121 multimodal digital health program, which combines lifestyle modification and remote patient monitoring for 48 weeks, compared with standard of care alone.
The primary outcome was the baseline-adjusted between-group difference in the SMART2 risk score at 6 months. The intervention did not significantly reduce the SMART2 risk score: the between-group difference was -0.3% (95% CI -2.4% to 1.9%; P = 0.821).
Secondary outcomes showed significant improvements in the intervention group for disease knowledge at 6 and 12 months (P < 0.05), short-term medication adherence, and diastolic blood pressure. Exact effect sizes and absolute numbers were not reported for these outcomes.
Safety and tolerability were not fully reported; however, 84% of patients remained active in the program at 24 weeks, suggesting good acceptance. Key limitations include the single-centre design and lack of reporting on adverse events.
For clinical practice, the program may offer prognostic benefits for overweight patients, but the null primary result limits its overall impact on cardiovascular risk reduction.
How this fits prior evidence
This trial adds to prior evidence on digital health interventions in coronary artery disease. Previous coverage showed that postoperative educational interventions significantly reduce anxiety and depression after CABG, and that DCBs reduce major bleeding compared to DES. The current study extends these findings by testing a multimodal digital program post-PCI, but the null primary result contrasts with the positive secondary outcomes, highlighting the need for further research.
Living with coronary artery disease means managing complex risks every day. A study looked at how a 48-week digital health program called SK-121 could help patients who just had a procedure to open blocked heart arteries. This program focused on lifestyle changes and remote monitoring.
The trial involved 200 patients. While the program did not change the overall risk score for heart disease at the six-month mark, it did make a difference in other areas. Patients using the digital tool showed significant improvements in their knowledge of the disease, how well they took their medications, and their diastolic blood pressure.
The program was well-accepted by those who used it, with 84% staying active through the first six months. While this was a single-center study, the results suggest that digital tools can be a helpful way to keep patients engaged in their care.
What this means for you:
A digital health program improved heart patient knowledge and blood pressure even when overall risk scores stayed steady.
Common questions
What specific improvements did the digital program provide?
Patients who used the SK-121 digital health program showed significant improvements in three areas: their knowledge about their disease, how well they followed their medication plans, and their diastolic blood pressure. These results were measured at 6 and 12 months into the study.
Did the program lower the overall risk of heart disease?
The study did not find a significant difference in the primary risk score (SMART2) between those who used the digital program and those who received standard care. The change was very small, with a result of only -0.3%.
How well did patients tolerate the digital health program?
The program was well-accepted by the participants. Of the people in the study, 84% remained active and continued with the program through the 24-week mark.
To evaluate a multimodal digital health intervention (SK-121) as an adjunct to standard of care (SoC) to reduce the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
In this single-centre, randomised controlled trial of 200 patients (mean age 64.4 years; 79.5% male) who underwent PCI, patients were randomised 1:1 to receive SoC alone or SoC plus a 48-week gamified digital program focusing on lifestyle modification and remote patient monitoring (RPM). User retention and engagement were high with 84% remaining active at 24 weeks and weekly RPM completion averaging 94%. The primary endpoint was the baseline-adjusted between-group difference in the Second Manifestations of ARTerial disease, version 2 (SMART2) risk score at 6 months. These SMART2 scores did not differ between the intervention and control groups (adjusted mean difference −0.3%; 95% confidence interval −2.4% to 1.9%; P = 0.821). However, the intervention group significantly improved in disease knowledge at 6 and 12 months (P
While the intervention did not reduce the SMART2 risk score in the overall population, it significantly improved disease knowledge, short-term medication adherence, and diastolic blood pressure. The program was well-accepted and may offer prognostic benefits for overweight patients.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05713565, NCT05713565.
