Morphological, hemodynamic and stiffness changes in arteries of young smokers

AimThe aim of our investigations was to detect the acute and chronic effects of cigarette smoking on arterial wall thickness and stiffness in young, healthy volunteers. We also performed a one-year follow-up to define the possible changes.SubjectsWe recruited 25 non-smoking and 25 smoking university students aged 19–33. Exclusion criteria were any known diseases, abnormally high cholesterol levels and body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2.MethodsWe defined the intima-media thickness on both common carotid arteries by using B-mode ultrasonography and we measured the hemodynamic and stiffness parameters with the help of arteriograph. In case of smokers we also investigated the acute effects after smoking one cigarette. In the follow-up study we measured 15 non-smokers and 13 smokers again.ResultsIn the smoking group morphological, stiffness and hemodynamic parameters showed significantly higher values compared to non-smokers. Concerning the acute effects we detected a significant increase in stiffness and hemodynamic parameters after smoking one cigarette. Gender differences were also found in the smoking group. Unadjusted to age, gender and smoking status there was a significant correlation between intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity. We could not find any progression in smokers after one year, while there was an improvement in intima-media thickness and augmentation index in non-smokers.ConclusionEarly atherosclerotic processes due to smoking can be detected even at a young age, in healthy university students. One year regular smoking does not result in detectable changes.