The risk of coronary artery disease estimated non-invasively in patients with essential hypertension environmentally exposed to cigarette smoke

- Aim: Relationship between ETS and risk of CAD estimated with CACS in EH.
- In patients with EH ETS exposure may result in elevated risk of CAD.
- Environmental exposure to cigarette smoke is risk factor of increased CACS.

BackgroundThe relationship between environmental exposure of non-smokers to cigarette smoke and the coronary artery calcium scores has not been sufficiently documented. The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between environmental exposure to cigarette smoke and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) estimated non-invasively through measurement of coronary artery calcium score by computed tomography in patients with essential hypertension.Material and methodsThe study was conducted on 67 patients with essential hypertension, non-smokers environmentally exposed to cigarette smoke (group A) and on 67 patients with essential hypertension, non-smokers not exposed to cigarette smoke (group B), selected using the case to case. Environmental exposure to cigarette smoke was evaluated using a questionnaire. The risk of development of coronary artery disease was estimated non-invasively through measurement of coronary artery calcium score (CACS) by computed tomography.ResultsGroup A was characterised by significantly higher CACS and left anterior descending (LADCS) calcium scores than group B. Compared to group B, group A had significantly higher percentage of patients with significant risk of CAD estimated on the basis of CACS values, and significantly lower percentage of patients with practically no risk of CAD estimated with the same method. Advanced age, peripheral artery diseases and environmental exposure to cigarette smoke are independent risk factors associated with increased CACS and LADCS values. In addition, higher BMI and hypercholesterolemia are independent risk factors for increased values of LADCS.ConclusionsIn patients with essential hypertension environmental exposure to cigarette smoke may result in elevated risk of coronary artery disease estimated non-invasively through measurement of coronary artery calcium score by computed tomography.