Comprehensive assessment of impaired peripheral and coronary artery endothelial functions in smokers using brachial artery ultrasound and oxygen-15-labeled water PET

Smokers exhibited impaired coronary endothelial function as well as peripheral brachial artery endothelial function. In addition, there was no correlation between PET and ultrasound measurements, possibly implying that while smokers may have systemic vascular endothelial dysfunction, the characteristics of that dysfunction may be different in peripheral arteries and coronary arteries.