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Two years of smoking cessation does not reduce arterial wall thickness and stiffness

F W P J van den Berkmortel1, H Wollersheim, H van Langen

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University Medical Centre, St Radboud, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands. f.vandenberkmortel@onco.umcn.nl

The Netherlands Journal of Medicine
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Smoking cessation rapidly lowers cardiovascular risk, but arterial wall changes like intima-media thickness and distensibility are not significantly improved after two years. Continued smoking cessation is still recommended for its proven cardiovascular benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Vascular Biology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Smoking cessation is known to rapidly reduce cardiovascular risk.
  • The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • Arterial wall properties may play a role in cardiovascular risk reduction post-cessation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure structural and functional arterial wall properties after smoking cessation.
  • To investigate the role of arterial properties in cardiovascular risk reduction.
  • To compare changes in arterial properties between former smokers, current smokers, and non-smokers.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study comparing 33 two-year quitters, 55 persistent smokers, and 50 non-smokers.
  • Ultrasonographic measurement of cross-sectional compliance, distensibility coefficients, and intima-media thickness.
  • Measurements taken at baseline and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-cessation.

Main Results:

  • Two years of smoking cessation did not alter cross-sectional compliance or distensibility coefficients.
  • Intima-media thickness changes over time did not significantly differ between groups.
  • Baseline intima-media thickness was greater in smokers compared to non-smokers.

Conclusions:

  • Two years of smoking cessation did not lead to regression or slower progression of intima-media thickness.
  • Improved arterial compliance or distensibility was not observed after two years of cessation.
  • Despite no observed arterial structural changes, smoking cessation is strongly recommended for rapid cardiovascular risk reduction.
Abstract

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