Evaluation of the association between cardiac structural and functional changes in healthy smokers

Introduction: Active smoking is relate to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the toxic effects of cigarette smoke were associated with myocardial damage and changes in cardiac remodeling. However, all mechanisms caused by cigarette smoke are not fully understood. Objective: Evaluate the association between cardiac structural and functional changes with cigarette smoke in healthy smokers. Methods: This is a pilot study to evaluate the cardiac morphometric and function by echocardiography, carotid intimal-medial thickness and pulmonary function in 6 active smokers (37.0 ± 4.6 years) and 8 healthy subjects (34.8 ± 3.7 y, p = 0.36). Results: The smokers have an average of smoking history 17.25 ± 5.85 years/pack. Tissue Doppler showed reduction in peak velocity on septal mitral annulus during early ventricular filling in smoking group (10.0 ± 1.67 vs 13.18 ± 2.50mm, p=0.02). Other function parameters did not show statistical difference. When we evaluate the morphologic parameters, posterior wall thickness of smokers presented higher value than healthy subjects; however, without statistical significance (9.25 ± 1.08 vs 8.10 ± 1.04mm/m², p=0.051). The right carotid present higher mean value of the average of carotid intimal-medial thickness 0.618 ± 0.104mm in smoker vs 0.490 ± 0.056mm healthy subjects (p=0.028). Conclusion: Healthy smokers presented potential myocardial remodeling with possible influence in ventricular diastolic dysfunction and a higher risk for atherosclerosis.