Coronary CT angiography findings based on smoking status: Do ex-smokers and never-smokers share a low probability of developing coronary atherosclerosis?

The relationship of coronary artery disease (CAD) in ex-smokers has not been elucidated, although smoking is considered to be one of the major risk factors of CAD. We investigate subclinical coronary atherosclerosis (SCA) in asymptomatic subjects with coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), according to smoking status, and determine whether ex-smokers share a low probability of developing CAD with never-smokers. We retrospectively enrolled 6930 self-referred asymptomatic adults who underwent both coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and CCTA. The prevalence and characteristics of SCA were assessed according to smoking status (never-, ex- and current smokers). After adjusting for variable risk factors, we used multivariate logistic regression for adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of high CACS (>100), SCA (any plaque), significant stenosis (>50 % in luminal stenosis) and each plaque type (non-calcified, mixed and calcified plaque) among the three groups. The prevalence of SCA was highest in the ex-smokers (35.4 %) and the prevalence of significant stenosis in ex-smokers (6.9 %) was as high as in current smokers (6.4 %). However, after adjusting for variable risk factors, SCA was significantly correlated with both ex-smokers (AOR; 1.21) and current smokers (AOR; 1.25), whereas significant stenosis was correlated only with current smokers (AOR; 1.91). The association between SCA and ex-smokers is as strong as with current smokers, although significant stenosis is only correlated with current smokers; thus, not only quitting smoking but also never initiating smoking would be helpful to reduce the progression of the SCA.