Arterial Endothelial Dysfunction Related to Passive Smoking Is Potentially Reversible in Healthy Young Adults

Arterial Endothelial Dysfunction Related to Passive Smoking Is Potentially Reversible in Healthy Young Adults

Olli T. Raitakari, MD, PhD;
Mark R. Adams, MB, BS, PhD, FRACP;
Robyn J. McCredie, BSc;
Kaye A. Griffiths, DMU; and
David S. Celermajer, MB, BS, PhD, FRACP

From Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The Heart Research Institute, and University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; and University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Abstract

Background: Passive smoking is associated with early arterial damage, but the potential for reversibility of this damage is unknown.

Objective: To assess the reversibility of arterial endothelial dysfunction, a key marker of early atherosclerosis.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Participants: 60 healthy persons 15 to 39 years of age: 20 with no exposure to active or passive smoking, 20 nonsmoking passive smokers (exposure to environmental tobacco smoke for ≥ 1 hour per day for ≥ 2 years), and 20 former passive smokers.

Measurements: Arterial endothelial function measured by noninvasive ultrasonography.

Results: Endothelium-dependent dilatation was significantly better in former passive smokers (5.1% ± 4.1% [range, −1.2% to 15.6%]) than in current passive smokers (2.3% ± 2.1% [range, −0.2% to 6.7%]) (P = 0.01), although both groups were significantly impaired compared with nonsmoking controls (8.9% ± 3.2% [range, 2.1% to 16.7%]) (P ≤ 0.01 for both comparisons).

Conclusions: In healthy young adults, arterial endothelial dysfunction related to passive smoking seems to be partially reversible.

Article and Author Information

Grant Support: By the Academy of Finland and Turku University Central Hospital, Finland (Dr. Raitakari); the Medical Foundation of Sydney University, Australia (Ms. McCredie and Dr. Celermajer); and the National Heart Foundation of Australia (Ms. Griffiths).
Request for Reprints: David S. Celermajer, MB, BS, PhD, FRACP, Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown NSW 2050, Sydney, Australia.
Current Author Address: Drs. Raitakari, Adams, and Celermajer, Ms. Griffiths, and Ms. McCredie: Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Missenden Road, Camperdown NSW 2050, Sydney, Australia.