Smoking, nicotine, nicotine replacement, and cardiovascular disease

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease and its complications. Nicotine is one of the major substances that contributes to the pharmacologic activity of cigarette smoke, its toxicity, as well as its addictive nature. Strategies have been developed that utilize nicotine as a replacement substance in motivated patients who wish to stop smoking. Studies have shown that nicotine replacement therapy can be used safely in patients with known coronary artery disease.