Smoking one cigarette acutely increased forearm resistance, impaired baroreflex, and increased carotid wall tension in mild smokers.
Observational (n=32)
Does smoking one cigarette alter cardiopulmonary baroreceptor activation and peripheral vascular resistance in healthy smokers?
Acute smoking of a single cigarette impairs baroreflex sensitivity and increases peripheral vascular resistance and carotid wall tension, providing a physiological mechanism for increased cardiovascular risk in smokers.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 16 healthy smokers and 16 nonsmokers acting as controls. We subjected smokers and nonsmokers to cardiopulmonary baroreceptor stimulation by studying forearm and common carotid haemodynamic and sympathovagal balance. Smokers repeated the tests after smoking one cigarette. Smokers and controls were subjected to passive elevation of the legs and the trunk in a horizontal position with pressure monitoring and measurement of the calibre and flow in the brachial and common carotid arteries using a colourDoppler ultrasound. We calculated forearm resistance and carotid wall tension. We also studied R-R variability, calculating the ratio between low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) R-R interval variability. RESULTS: During stimulation diastolic blood pressure values decreased in controls and in smokers at rest. After smoking one cigarette, smokers showed an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as in the heart rate during stimulation. Humeral artery increased the calibre during stimulation in both groups; after cigarette smoking the calibre declined throughout the study phases. Forearm resistance decreased in both groups during stimulation at rest, but increased after cigarette smoking. The LF/HF ratio decreased during stimulation in both groups, and it increased at rest after smoking. Carotid diameter did not change in either group, and wall tension increased in smokers after smoking one cigarette. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking one cigarette increases resistance, impairs baroreflex and increases carotid wall tension in mild smokers. These findings may explain the higher rate of a cardiovascular event in smokers.
Arosio et al. (2006) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=32). Smoking one cigarette vs. Nonsmokers and baseline state was evaluated on Haemodynamic and sympathovagal balance during cardiopulmonary baroreceptor stimulation. Smoking one cigarette acutely increased forearm resistance, impaired baroreflex, and increased carotid wall tension in mild smokers.