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Research: DAGENAIS and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 117
Abstract
DAGENAIS and co-workers, Laval University Heart and Lung Institute, Ste-Foy, Quebec G1V 4G5, Canada, Gilles.Dagenais@crhl.ulaval.ca, have assessed the impact of cigarette smoking in patients at high risk from heart disease.
Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of smoking in individuals using medication that reduces the risk of cardiovascular events.
Methodology
The outcomes were documented in participants of the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation trial who did not change their smoking status during the time of the trial. There were 2728 'never smokers', 5241 'former smokers' and 936 'current smokers', and all had stable cardiovascular disease or diabetes with at least one other risk factor. None had previous congestive heart failure or known left ventricular ejection fraction < 0.40.
Results
In comparison to 'never smokers', 'current smokers' had a relative risk of cardiovascular death of 1.65; of myocardial infarction of 1.25; for stroke of 1.42; and for total mortality of 1.99. The relative risks of 'former smokers' and 'never smokers' were the same.
Conclusion
Smoking increases the risk of mortality and morbidity among high-risk patients despite the use of medications known to reduce cardiovascular events. Stopping smoking reduces the risk to normal.
References
Dagenais GR, Yi Q, Lonn E, Sleight P, Ostergren J, Yusuf S, HOPE Trial Investigators. Impact of cigarette smoking in high-risk patients participating in a clinical trial. A substudy from the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation 12 (1): 75-81, Feb 2005.
