What benefits are associated with smoking cessation after an acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
The SAVE (Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Endpoints) study investigators reported that in selected patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after MI, smoking cessation, compared with continued smoking, is associated with a 40% lower hazard of all-cause mortality and a 30% lower hazard of death, recurrent MI, or heart failure hospitalization. Additionally, counseling hospitalized smokers after acute MI increases smoking cessation rates, provided that the initial contact during the hospital stay is followed by repeated contacts, usually by telephone, for 3 months after discharge. Patients with depressive symptoms during the MI hospitalization and early convalescence may require more intensive treatment to achieve cessation.