A recent investigation conducted by academics from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, in partnership with the Keck School of Medicine of USC, the Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), and UC Irvine, sheds light on the detrimental effects of both electronic and traditional cigarettes on cardiovascular health. The study found that electronic cigarettes compromise the health of blood vessels, whereas traditional cigarettes detrimentally affect the heart.
The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA), was spearheaded by Rashid Alavi while he was a mechanical engineering PhD student. Alavi worked in Niema Pahlevan’s laboratory, holds the Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair in Engineering at USC and is a Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA). Pahlevan is a renowned expert in flow physics, particularly in its application to medical diagnostics and treatments, and has pioneered non-invasive methods to monitor heart health.
The study, entitled “Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Nicotine Delivered by Chronic Electronic Cigarettes or Standard Cigarettes Captured by Cardiovascular Intrinsic Frequencies,” employs a novel analysis technique based on fluid dynamics to evaluate the impact of nicotine delivered through both e-cigarette vapour and smoke from traditional cigarettes. Although initially conducted on animal models, the methodology applies to human subjects, as demonstrated in other medical scenarios such as heart failure. In human applications, a simple smartphone camera can detect anomalies in cardiovascular functioning.
Pahlevan elucidates the technique, stating that a smartphone camera captures images of the neck skin. The images are then analysed by an algorithm that extracts vessel wall dilation from the recorded skin vibrations. This dilation waveform reflects the pressure waveform in major arteries, such as the carotid artery, which exhibits minimal viscoelasticity of the wall.
The results of the study indicate that electronic cigarettes containing nicotine adversely affect vascular function and the coupling between the left ventricle and arteries. Similarly, traditional cigarettes have been shown to impair the contractile function of the left ventricle significantly. These outcomes highlight the potential long-term risks associated with nicotine consumption and its implications for cardiovascular health.
Pahlevan points out the accelerated ageing of the vascular system induced by vaping with nicotine, emphasising the severity of its effects. Despite the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes as a potential cessation aid for smokers, their impact on cardiovascular health has been largely underexplored until this study.
Pahlevan stresses the need for careful consideration when opting for electronic cigarettes, as their adverse effects are significant. The objective of the study, according to Alavi, is to increase awareness regarding the long-term effects of vaping on the cardiovascular system. He remarks on the eventual detrimental impact on the heart when blood vessels are compromised, underscoring the importance of making informed decisions about substance use. Alavi’s doctoral thesis on this subject was recognised among the top four in the USC Viterbi Best PhD Dissertation Award, and he is currently the James Boswell Postdoctoral Fellow at Caltech and HMRI.
Alavi also notes that the intrinsic frequency method, a cutting-edge fluid dynamics-based analysis technique, is susceptible to detecting abnormalities in the cardiovascular system, surpassing some traditional hemodynamic measures. This technique holds promise for cellphone applications aimed at assessing heart function, adding a layer of accessibility and cost-effectiveness to cardiovascular monitoring.
The study lays the groundwork for further human clinical trials by developing an innovative, cost-effective method to detect cardiovascular damage using simple measurements of carotid pressure waveforms. This approach could lead to quicker, easier, and more widespread cardiovascular health assessments, making significant strides in medical diagnostics and public health awareness.
More information: Rashid Alavi et al, Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Nicotine Delivered by Chronic Electronic Cigarettes or Standard Cigarettes Captured by Cardiovascular Intrinsic Frequencies, Journal of the American Heart Association. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.124.035462
Journal information: Journal of the American Heart Association Provided by University of Southern California
