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Introduction Tobacco cigarette smoking is a predominant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a leading preventable cause of death. Electronic Cigarette (EC) use has increased significantly in recent years. However, EC have been shown to increase oxidative stress. A low endothelium-dependent flow mediated dilation (FMD) signifies endothelial dysfunction and is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Herein we tested the hypothesis that EC use adversely affects FMD responses compared to healthy age-matched controls (HC). Methods Forty-two age matched young individuals were recruited into two groups (EC and HC). Brachial artery diameter was continuously imaged using Duplex Doppler ultrasound with a multi-frequency linear-array transducer at baseline and 3 minutes following 5 minutes of forearm ischemia. Video recordings were screen captured and analysed using a researcher independent automated wall tracking software. Results Baseline brachial artery diameters were not different between EC and HC groups (p>0.05). Post ischemia absolute increase in artery diameter following cuff deflation was significantly lower in EC (0.24 (0.15 – 0.31) median (inter-quartile range)) compared to HC (0.31 (0.22 – 0.37) mm; pConclusion Endothelium dependent FMD is attenuated in EC users compared to age-matched HC, suggesting an increased risk of future adverse cardiovascular events in EC users. Conflict of Interest None
Junejo et al. (Mon,) studied this question.