OBJECTIVES: Cigarette smoking induces cardiovascular pathology and worsens arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness can be assessed noninvasively based on 2 indices: pulse-wave velocity (PWV), indicating aortic stiffness, and the augmentation index (AIx), indicating aortic wave reflection. The impact of smoking cessation (SC) with nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) on arterial stiffness remains unknown. METHODS: AIx and PWV were studied prospectively (using a SphygmoCor system) in 26 long-term smokers (>10 cigarettes/day; mean age 43 ± 6 years) before (visit 1) and 28 and 56 days (visit 2 and visit 3) after SC supported by NRT. Abstinence was ascertained when exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) was <10 ppm; the quantity of NRT absorbed was assessed based on the serum cotinine level. RESULTS: Sixteen of 24 patients (67%) were abstinent at the end of the study; 8/24 had cut down on smoking, and 2 were lost to follow-up. CO and serum cotinine levels fell after SC. The mean AIx for the population as a whole was 23.4% at visit 1, with a significant early reduction by visit 2 (16.2%) and visit 3 (13.9%) (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The PWV, peripheral blood pressure, and heart rate were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in AIx and the stability of PWV after SC with NRT indicate improved peripheral vascular tone. This impact may account for the early clinical benefit of SC observed even when associated with NRT.
OBJECTIVES: Cigarette smoking induces cardiovascular pathology and worsens arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness can be assessed noninvasively based on 2 indices: pulse-wave velocity (PWV), indicating aortic stiffness, and the augmentation index (AIx), indicating aortic wave reflection. The impact of smoking cessation (SC) with nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) on arterial stiffness remains unknown. METHODS: AIx and PWV were studied prospectively (using a SphygmoCor system) in 26 long-term smokers (>10 cigarettes/day; mean age 43 ± 6 years) before (visit 1) and 28 and 56 days (visit 2 and visit 3) after SC supported by NRT. Abstinence was ascertained when exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) was <10 ppm; the quantity of NRT absorbed was assessed based on the serum cotinine level. RESULTS: Sixteen of 24 patients (67%) were abstinent at the end of the study; 8/24 had cut down on smoking, and 2 were lost to follow-up. CO and serum cotinine levels fell after SC. The mean AIx for the population as a whole was 23.4% at visit 1, with a significant early reduction by visit 2 (16.2%) and visit 3 (13.9%) (ANOVA, p < 0.001). The PWV, peripheral blood pressure, and heart rate were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in AIx and the stability of PWV after SC with NRT indicate improved peripheral vascular tone. This impact may account for the early clinical benefit of SC observed even when associated with NRT.
Authors: Nik Newland; Frazer John Lowe; Oscar Martin Camacho; Mike McEwan; Nathan Gale; James Ebajemito; George Hardie; James Murphy; Christopher Proctor Journal: Intern Emerg Med Date: 2019-05-02 Impact factor: 3.397
Authors: Oscar M Camacho; Andrew Hedge; Frazer Lowe; Nik Newland; Nathan Gale; Mike McEwan; Christopher Proctor Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Commun Date: 2020-01-28