Effects of electronic cigarette on platelet and vascular function after four months of use

Abstract

We examined the effects of electronic cigarette on platelet and vascular function after 4 months of use compared to tobacco smoking. Forty smokers without cardiovascular disease were randomized to smoke either conventional cigarettes or an electronic cigarette (nicotine concentration of 12 mg/ml). At baseline and after four months, we measured a) platelet function by Platelet Function Analyzer PFA-100 and Light Transmission Aggregometry, b) pulse wave velocity, c) plasma malondialdehyde levels as oxidative stress index and d) the exhaled CO level. After 4 months, continuation of conventional cigarette smoking further impaired platelet function compared to vaping as assessed by PFA (mean increase 27.1 vs 11.6 s, p for interaction = 0.048) and by LTA (decline 24.1 vs 9.4%, p for interaction = 0.045). Conversely, compared to smoking, vaping resulted in greater reduction of exhaled CO (6.9 ppm vs 2.6, p for interaction < 0.001), improvement of PWV (decrease of 0.8 m/s vs increase of 0.8 m/s, p for interaction = 0.020) and reduction of MDA (reduction 0.13 vs increase 0.19 nmol/L, p for interaction = 0.035). Switching to electronic cigarette for 4 months has a neutral effect on platelet function while it reduces arterial stiffness and oxidative stress compared to tobacco smoking.

Keywords: Electronic cigarette; Light transmission aggregometry; Oxidative stress; PFA-100; Platelets; Pulse wave velocity.