[Proactive bedside counseling of smokers hospitalized in cardiac intensive care unit]

To offer routine information on smoking cessation and bedside counseling to smokers admitted in cardiac intensive care unit. The objective is to encourage cessation and/or use of smoking cessation services after discharge.

Thirty-three smokers were admitted in cardiac intensive care unit at the Georges Pompidou European hospital (HEGP) in Paris (France) from 1st March to June 30th 2010. Assessment of tobacco use and offer of counseling and follow-up visits during and after hospital stay. Evaluation of tobacco use by telephone at least six months after discharge.

It was found that 30.3% of the patients stopped smoking, mostly without specialized help despite heavy smoking prior to hospitalization. They declared being impressed by their hospital stay. Motives for smoking among continuing smokers were mostly automatic smoking and stress relief. They had declined any smoking aid, despite subsequent hospital stays in cardiac intensive care. Three smokers with a severe profile had died at follow-up. Smokers followed-up at HEGP were in need of nicotine replacement therapy. More than six months after hospital discharge, nearly all smokers remembered being offered bedside counseling to stop smoking.

This experience reveals the importance of routine bedside counseling for smoking cessation in cardiac intensive care unit. Smokers in this unit often continue smoking even though smoking hinders cardiac rehabilitation.