Cigarette smoking as a single cardiovascular risk factor in asymptomatic pilots was associated with increased intima-media thickness of the left common carotid artery (p < 0.05).
Cross-Sectional (n=88)
Does cigarette smoking increase intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in asymptomatic military pilots?
Cigarette smoking as an isolated cardiovascular risk factor is associated with increased carotid intima-media thickness in young to middle-aged asymptomatic pilots, indicating early atherosclerosis.
p-value: p=<0.05
BACKGROUND: It is well known that smoking is associated with an increase in arterial wall thickness. However, most studies of this problem have been undertaken in age and sex heterogenous groups, as well as in patients with already present other conventional risk factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of cigarette smoking on arterial wall thickness of the common carotid artery in asymptomatic pilots. METHODS: The imaging of intima-media thickness of the posterior wall of the distal 1 cm of both common carotid arteries was performed using a B mode ultrasound device, in 39 pilots (37.05 +/- 6.66 years), for whom smoking was the single cardiovascular risk factor. Comparisons were made with 49 non-smokers (35.12 +/- 7.39 years). RESULTS: The posterior walls of both common carotid arteries were thicker in smokers (left, p 0,05). Intima-media thickness was significantly lower on the right side than on the left side in both smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking as the single cardiovascular risk factor was associated with the wall thickness of the carotid arteries in our study. This finding indicated that early atherosclerosis was already present in pilots-smokers entering middle age.
Jovelić et al. (2005) conducted a cross-sectional in Asymptomatic pilots (n=88). Cigarette smoking vs. Non-smokers was evaluated on Intima-media thickness of the posterior wall of the distal 1 cm of both common carotid arteries (p=<0.05). Cigarette smoking as a single cardiovascular risk factor in asymptomatic pilots was associated with increased intima-media thickness of the left common carotid artery (p < 0.05).