Sonia M. Grandi

Bupropion for Smoking Cessation in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine smoking cessation rates among smokers with AMI to determine whether bupropion, started in-hospital, is safe and can improve cessation rates at 1 year. BACKGROUND Bupropion doubles quit rates in otherwise healthy smokers and patients with stable cardiovascular disease. Although 2 previous trials examined the use of bupropion in patients hospitalized with acute cardiovascular disease, these studies have been inconclusive with respect to its safety and efficacy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in smokers hospitalized with AMI. Participants received bupropion or placebo for 9 weeks and were followed for 12 months. Both groups received low-intensity counseling. Point prevalence abstinence was assessed by 7-day recall and biochemical validation of expired carbon monoxide. RESULTS A total of 392 patients were randomized (mean age 53.9 ± 10.3 years); 83.5% were male; 64.9% had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction). Patients smoked a mean of 23.2 ± 10.6 cigarettes/day for a mean of 32.9 ± 12.4 years. At 12 months, point prevalence abstinence rates were 37.2% in the bupropion group and 32.0% in the placebo group (p = 0.33; % difference after adjusting for between center differences 3.9%). Continuous abstinence rates were 26.8% and 22.2%, respectively (p = 0.34). Major adverse cardiac event rates were similar (13.0% vs. 11.0%, respectively; p = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS Two-thirds of patients return to smoking by 12 months after AMI. Bupropion is well tolerated and seems to be safe to use in the immediate post-AMI period. However, bupropion is not effective for smoking cessation in patients post-AMI.

Clinical ResearchClinical TrialBupropion for Smoking Cessation in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine smoking cessation rates among smokers with AMI to determine whether bupropion, started in-hospital, is safe and can improve cessation rates at 1 year. BACKGROUND Bupropion doubles quit rates in otherwise healthy smokers and patients with stable cardiovascular disease. Although 2 previous trials examined the use of bupropion in patients hospitalized with acute cardiovascular disease, these studies have been inconclusive with respect to its safety and efficacy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial in smokers hospitalized with AMI. Participants received bupropion or placebo for 9 weeks and were followed for 12 months. Both groups received low-intensity counseling. Point prevalence abstinence was assessed by 7-day recall and biochemical validation of expired carbon monoxide. RESULTS A total of 392 patients were randomized (mean age 53.9 ± 10.3 years); 83.5% were male; 64.9% had ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction). Patients smoked a mean of 23.2 ± 10.6 cigarettes/day for a mean of 32.9 ± 12.4 years. At 12 months, point prevalence abstinence rates were 37.2% in the bupropion group and 32.0% in the placebo group (p = 0.33; % difference after adjusting for between center differences 3.9%). Continuous abstinence rates were 26.8% and 22.2%, respectively (p = 0.34). Major adverse cardiac event rates were similar (13.0% vs. 11.0%, respectively; p = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS Two-thirds of patients return to smoking by 12 months after AMI. Bupropion is well tolerated and seems to be safe to use in the immediate post-AMI period. However, bupropion is not effective for smoking cessation in patients post-AMI.

Agricultural Subsidies and the American Obesity Epidemic

Government-issued agricultural subsidies are worsening obesity trends in America. Current agricultural policy remains largely uninformed by public health discourse. Although findings suggest that eliminating all subsidies would have a mild impact on the prevalence of obesity, a revision of commodity programs could have a measurable public health impact on a population scale, over time. Policy reforms will be important determinants of the future of obesity in America, primarily through indemnity program revisions, and the allocation of increasing amounts of resources to sustainable agriculture. Public health intervention will be required at the policy level to promote healthy behavioral changes in consumers. The 2013 Farm Bill will be the key mechanism to induce such policy change in the near future.

Legislative approaches to tackling the obesity epidemic

Canada and other developed countries are facing an obesity epidemic, with a substantial rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults and children.[1][1]–[3][2] The 2007–2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey revealed that 37% of adults were overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25.0

Taxing Junk Food to Counter Obesity

We examined the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a junk food tax as an intervention to counter increasing obesity in North America. Small excise taxes are likely to yield substantial revenue but are unlikely to affect obesity rates. High excise taxes are likely to have a direct impact on weight in at-risk populations but are less likely to be politically palatable or sustainable. Ultimately, the effectiveness of earmarked health programs and subsidies is likely to be a key determinant of tax success in the fight against obesity.

Late and Very Late Stent Thrombosis in Patients With Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents

BACKGROUND Second-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) are purported to have a lower risk of stent thrombosis than first-generation DES. However, few studies have examined the frequency of late stent thrombosis (LST) and very LST (VLST) in patients with second-generation DES, and the safety of discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) remains controversial. METHODS We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov to identify all reported cases of definite LST and VLST in patients with second-generation DES. Inclusion was restricted to cases with zotarolimus-eluting stents (ZES) and everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in which the time from percutaneous coronary intervention and time from discontinuation of DAPT to LST/VLST was reported. RESULTS A total of 26 cases (15 ZES and 11 EES) in 11 publications were included. We identified 17 cases of LST and 9 cases of VLST. The median time from percutaneous coronary intervention to LST/VLST in ZES patients was 121 days (interquartile range [IQR], 89-292) and in EES patients was 364 days (IQR, 269-504). For the 5 patients who discontinued taking acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel simultaneously, the median time to event was 20 days (IQR, 10-60). For the 7 patients who discontinued taking clopidogrel but continued taking acetylsalicylic acid, the median time to event was 190 days (IQR, 135-303). CONCLUSIONS With only a few reported cases of LST/VLST in the literature, available data suggest that thrombotic events might be rare with second-generation DES. Moreover, LST/VLST appears to occur later after DAPT discontinuation in patients with second-generation DES than in those with first-generation DES.

Bupropion for Smoking Cessation in Patients Hospitalized With Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND Smoking remains the most important modifiable risk factor for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy and safety of bupropion therapy started in-hospital for smoking cessation in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS We systematically searched the medical literature to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of in-hospital initiation of bupropion therapy for smoking cessation in patients with CVD. RCTs reporting smoking abstinence at 6 or 12 months were included. RESULTS Three RCTs, including 773 patients, were included in our analyses. Participants were predominantly men (range of means, 69.0%-83.8%), and the majority were hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (range of means, 66%-100%). Treatment duration ranged from 8-12 weeks. At the end of treatment, bupropion was associated with a significant increase in point prevalence abstinence (relative risk [RR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.45) but not continuous abstinence (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.97-1.45). However, bupropion was not associated with a significant increase in point prevalence abstinence (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.92-1.48) or continuous abstinence (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.90-1.50) at 12 months. The results of the pooled analysis for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were inconclusive (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.93-1.78). CONCLUSIONS We found that bupropion improved abstinence over placebo at the end of treatment but that this effect did not persist at 12 months. Because of inconsistent reporting of safety data, the safety profile of bupropion therapy in this patient population remains unclear.

Weight Change in Patients Attempting to Quit Smoking Post-myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend smoking cessation and weight management for secondary prevention in patients post-myocardial infarction. However, little is known about the effects of smoking cessation on weight change post-myocardial infarction. METHODS We examined patterns of weight change and its effects on blood pressure and glycemic control using data from a randomized trial investigating the effect of bupropion on smoking cessation in patients post-myocardial infarction. Weight change was compared among 3 groups of patients: those who were completely abstinent (n = 92), those who smoked intermittently (n = 49), and those who smoked persistently (n = 38) during the 12-month follow-up. Analyses were restricted to patients who attended all follow-up visits. RESULTS The median weight at baseline was 77.1 kg (interquartile range [IQR], 66.0, 87.5), and 64.3% of patients were overweight/obese (body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m(2)). The median weight gain at 12 months was 4.0 kg (IQR, 0-7.0), with more than one third gaining >5 kg. The proportion of patients who were overweight/obese increased by approximately 10%, and 23.2% of patients moved up a body mass index category. Abstainers gained a median of 4.8 kg (IQR, 1.0, 8.6), intermittent smokers gained a median of 2.0 kg (IQR, -2.0, 5.0), and persistent smokers gained a median of 3.0 kg (IQR, -0.8, 6.0). Weight gain was associated with an increase in blood pressure and requirements for hypoglycemic medications at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients attempting to quit smoking gain weight 12 months post-myocardial infarction, with abstainers gaining more weight than those who return to smoking. Weight gain was associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension and diabetes.

Very late stent thrombosis in patients with first-generation drug-eluting stents: A systematic review of reported cases

Age, mean ± SD, years 59.1 ± 12.2 Not reported, n (%) 19 (11.1) Sex, n (%) Female 22 (12.8) Not reported 20 (11.6) DES type, n (%) PES 70 (40.7) SES 102 (59.3) Occluded artery, n (%) LAD 97 (56.4) RCA 35 (20.4) LCx 12 (7.0) LM 2 (1.2) Multiple arteries 6 (3.5) Not reported 20 (11.6) Clinical presentation, n (%) MI 106 (61.6) Angina 7 (4.1) Unstable angina 28 (16.3) Sudden death 1 (0.6) Other 6 (3.5) Not reported 24 (13.9) In-hospital mortality, n (%) 17 (9.9) Not reported 29 (16.9) Time from index PCI to VLST, days Mean ± SD 849.4 ± 411.8 Median (IQR) 752 (517, 1020) Time from ASA discontinuation to VLST, days Mean ± SD 112.6 ± 300 Median (IQR) 8.5 (7, 33) Time from thienopyridine discontinuation to VLST, days Mean ± SD 405.9 ± 434.2 Median (IQR) 304 (30, 609)

Cessation treatment adherence and smoking abstinence in patients after acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND Previous trials examining the use of bupropion for smoking cessation therapy after myocardial infarction (MI) have been inconclusive. To understand better the observed lack of effectiveness of bupropion in this population, we examined abstinence rates by level of adherence across treatment groups. METHODS We used data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of bupropion in smokers (n = 388) hospitalized with MI to study the association of interest. Patients were classified as being fully adherent if they reported taking 2 pills/d; partially adherent if they reported 0, 1, and/or 2 pills/d; and nonadherent if they reported 0 and/or 1 pill/d throughout the 9-week treatment period. Abstinence was assessed by 7-day biochemically validated self-report at 4 and 9 weeks and 6 and 12 months. RESULTS A total of 156 patients were fully adherent to the study medication (66 bupropion and 90 placebo), 149 were partially adherent (76 and 73, respectively), and 83 were nonadherent (46 and 37, respectively). Regardless of treatment group, patients who were fully or partially adherent reported greater abstinence than did nonadherent patients. Among partially adherent patients, bupropion conferred an important benefit at 12 months (% difference 13.3, 95% CI 1.3-25.3). At 12 months, patients who were fully adherent were more likely to be abstinent compared with those who were nonadherent (adjusted odds ratio 7.6, 95% CI 3.2-17.6). CONCLUSIONS Adherence to study medication, regardless of assigned treatment, is associated with a substantial increase in abstinence. Patients who are motivated to quit smoking should be targeted for smoking cessation treatment after MI.