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MRI Shows Lung Perfusion Changes after Vaping and Smoking
Sylvia Nyilas1, Grzegorz Bauman1, Insa Korten1
1From the Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology (S.N., M.I., J.T.H., A.C., L.E.), Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergology (I.K.), Department of General Internal Medicine (N.R.), and Department of Pulmonary Medicine (T.G., M.F.C.), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, Bern 3010, Switzerland; Department of Radiology, Division of Radiological Physics, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland (G.B., O.P., O.B.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (G.B., O.P., O.B.); Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (O.P.); Division of Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria (F.S.); Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Children's Hospital Zurich and Childhood Research Center, Zurich, Switzerland (F.S.); Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (C.G., A.S., N.R., R.A.); and Center for Primary Care and Public Health, Unisanté, Lausanne, Switzerland (R.A.).
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may increase lung perfusion, while tobacco smoke decreases it. This study used MRI to assess short-term lung ventilation and perfusion changes after exposure.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary medicine
- Radiology
- Respiratory physiology
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on the short-term effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and tobacco smoke on lung ventilation and perfusion.
- Understanding these immediate impacts is crucial for assessing potential respiratory risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate effects of ENDS and tobacco smoke exposure on lung ventilation and perfusion.
- Utilizing functional MRI and lung function tests to quantify these changes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational pilot study involving 44 healthy adults (controls, former smokers, ENDS users, active smokers).
- Functional MRI (matrix pencil) and lung function tests (spirometry, multiple-breath washout) were performed before and immediately after exposure.
- Semiquantitative MRI assessed lung perfusion (RQ) and fractional ventilation (RFV); nitrogen multiple-breath washout measured lung clearance index (LCI).
Main Results:
- Tobacco smoke exposure led to a decrease in lung perfusion (RQ) and an increase in LCI, indicating ventilation inhomogeneity.
- Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use resulted in an increase in lung perfusion (RQ).
- No significant changes in fractional ventilation (RFV) or spirometry indexes were observed in either group immediately after exposure.
Conclusions:
- Functional MRI reveals distinct short-term effects of tobacco smoke and ENDS on lung perfusion.
- Tobacco smoke acutely impairs lung perfusion and increases ventilation inhomogeneity.
- Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) appear to increase lung perfusion in the short term.
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