Toxic effect of smoking on right and left heart function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance

Experimental and clinical studies showed direct toxic effects of cigarette smoke in the cardiac remodeling, independently of hemodynamic effects. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising tool to evaluate right and left cardiac functions. Objects: To evaluate morphometry and function of the heart in smokers and healthy never smokers. Methods: It was used the cardiac MRI to evaluated morphometry and function for right and left ventricles. Results: We evaluated twenty-seven healthy never smokers (34.8 ± 4.5 years) and 22 smokers (34.8 ± 4.6 years). Morphological variables were not different between groups. Effective volume (EV) of left ventricle (LV) (healthy: 90.9±16.6ml vs smokers 79.5±15.9ml, p=0.02) and effective volume indexed (EVI) (healthy: 47.9±5.92 ml/m² vs smokers: 43.5±5.32ml/m², p=0.009) were lower in smokers when compared to healthy never smokers. Right ventricle (RV) presented lower values in smokers of the end-diastolic volume (EDV) (healthy: 140±36.5ml vs smokers: 114±29.7ml, p=0.01), effective volume (EV) (healthy: 79.7±18ml vs smokers: 64.4±16ml, p=0.004), end-diastolic volume indexed (healthy: 73.4±14.1ml/m² vs smokers: 61.8±10.6ml/m², p=0.003), effective volume indexed (EVI) (healthy: 42.1±8.28ml/m² vs smokers: 35±5.53ml/m², p=0.001) and the longest axis (LA) (healthy: 81±10.6mm vs smokers: 72.5±9.04mm, p=0.005). Conclusion: Smokers showed heart toxic effects of smoking even before to have cardiac remodeling.