Remote Smoking Cessation Support for Patients Hospitalized with Heart Problems Combining Financial Incentives and Nicotine Replacement Therapy To Improve Quitting After Hospital Discharge

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating new strategies to help patients hospitalized for acute coronary events, such as myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization, to quit smoking. This study focuses on whether combining financial incentives with medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms can improve smoking cessation rates in cardiac patients, a group with high smoking rates and significant health risks from continued smoking. The goal is to enhance adherence to smoking cessation guidelines and improve cardiac recovery outcomes. Participants in the intervention group will receive a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and a 12-week program of financial incentives for biochemically verified smoking abstinence. Treatment begins during hospitalization and continues remotely after discharge to bridge the care gap when relapse risk is high. The financial incentives are administered by clinic staff, and NRT includes both short- and long-acting forms to maximize effectiveness. During the study, participants will be monitored for smoking status verified biochemically at 3 months. Researchers will assess adherence to smoking cessation, engagement with treatment, and cardiac recovery outcomes. Participants will be supported through the critical period following hospital discharge when smoking relapse is most common, with continued follow-up to measure the impact of the combined behavioral and pharmacologic intervention.

Remote Smoking Cessation in Hospitalized Cardiac Patients