Study Overview
A recent study by researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering, in collaboration with the Keck School of Medicine of USC, Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI), and UC Irvine, has uncovered the harmful effects of both electronic and traditional cigarettes on cardiovascular health. Published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the study indicates that electronic cigarettes damage blood vessels, while conventional cigarettes primarily affect the heart.
Methodology and Findings
Led by Rashid Alavi during his PhD studies, the research utilized innovative fluid dynamics techniques to analyze the impact of nicotine exposure from e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. Although conducted on animal models, the findings have implications for human health, as smartphone cameras can be employed to detect cardiovascular abnormalities.
Pahlevan, a leading expert in flow physics and non-invasive diagnostics, explained, “Using a smartphone camera, we capture images of the neck skin. An algorithm then extracts vessel wall dilation from the recorded skin vibrations, which reflects pressure changes in major arteries like the carotid.”
Impact of Nicotine on Vascular Health
The study revealed that nicotine from e-cigarettes adversely affects vascular function and left ventricle-arterial coupling. Traditional cigarettes were found to significantly impair left ventricle contractile function, suggesting potential long-term cardiovascular consequences. Pahlevan emphasized, “Vaping with nicotine is causing accelerated aging of the vascular system.”
Public Health Implications
Despite the perception that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional smoking, the study highlights significant risks associated with nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. “People believe e-cigarettes are much better, leading them to switch from traditional smoking. However, the adverse effects of e-cigarettes with nicotine must be taken seriously,” Pahlevan stated.
Alavi, now a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech, underscored the importance of raising awareness about vaping’s long-term cardiovascular effects, aiming to help individuals make informed choices regarding nicotine use.
Future Applications and Clinical Trials
The innovative smartphone tool developed in the study has the potential to assist users in assessing their cardiovascular risk related to vaping. Dr. Robert Kloner, Chief Scientific Officer at HMRI, noted the method’s sensitivity in detecting cardiovascular abnormalities, surpassing standard hemodynamic measures.
The next phase involves human clinical trials to validate the tool’s efficacy for broader testing and assessment of cardiovascular health.
Reference
The study titled “Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Nicotine Delivered by Chronic Electronic Cigarettes or Standard Cigarettes Captured by Cardiovascular Intrinsic Frequencies” was published on September 11, 2024.
Funding and Disclosures
The research was funded by the University of California and the James G. Boswell Foundation. Notably, N.M. Pahlevan has equity in Ventric Health (Avicena LLC) and holds a consulting agreement with the same entity.
