Vascular health, function following smoking, vaping

Cigarette smoking and vaping, with or without nicotine, may impact vascular function, according to findings presented at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 Annual Meeting.

In the study, researchers used quantitative magnetic resonance imaging to examine the vascular responses of 31 smokers and vapers aged 21 to 49 years following the use of tobacco cigarette smoke, nicotinized e-cigarette aerosol and nonnicotinized e-cigarette aerosol.

Post-inhalation, the researchers discovered decreases in the resting blood flow velocity in the superficial femoral arteries, which supply oxygenated blood to the entire lower body. Venous oxygen saturation also reduced among the vapers in both the nicotine and nicotine-free e-cigarette groups.

Compared with those who didn’t smoke, the smokers and vapers experienced greater neurovascular compliance and lower flow-mediated dilation — representing potential implications for long-term vascular health.

The findings indicated that refraining from smoking or vaping may help maintain vascular health and function.

Read more: RSNA 2024 Annual Meeting

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