Helping hospitalized heart patients quit smoking

Remote Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Cardiac Patients: Bridging the Post-discharge

This study is testing if giving financial rewards along with nicotine replacement therapy can help heart patients in the hospital quit smoking for good.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Vermont Medical Center (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Burlington, Vermont)
• Trial ID: NCT05738408 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to explore new strategies for assisting patients hospitalized due to acute coronary events in quitting smoking. It will evaluate the effectiveness of combining financial incentives with nicotine replacement therapy to promote smoking cessation in this high-risk population. The trial seeks to address the low rates of smoking cessation support provided to cardiac patients during and after hospitalization, which is critical for improving their long-term health outcomes. By focusing on this vulnerable group, the study hopes to enhance adherence to smoking cessation guidelines and reduce the negative health impacts of continued smoking.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are hospitalized patients over 18 years old who are current smokers and have experienced an acute coronary event.

Not a fit: Patients with severe dementia, active malignancies, or those who do not have reliable access to a smartphone may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve smoking cessation rates among cardiac patients, leading to better health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using financial incentives and nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients will be recruited if they:

1. Hospitalization for an acute coronary event which includes myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization (percutaneous intervention or coronary artery bypass)
2. live within 30 miles of UVMMC and are \>18 years of age
3. Current cigarette smoker (defined as reporting any use of cigarettes in the week before admission and \>5 cigarette/day on average over the past 3 months)

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded if they have:

1. severe dementia/Alzheimer's disease
2. an active malignancy, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer or low-grade prostate cancer under active surveillance
3. exercise limiting vascular or neuromuscular disease
4. Non-English Speaking
5. No reliable smart-phone
6. Current, regular use of smokeless tobacco or other form of non-combusted tobacco

Where this trial is running

Burlington, Vermont

• University of Vermont Medical Center — Burlington, Vermont, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sherrie Khadanga, MD

Conditions Smoking Cessation; smoking cessation; secondary prevention