Influence of a history of smoking on short term (six month) clinical and angiographic outcome after successful coronary angioplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of smoking on restenosis after coronary angioplasty.


METHODS
The incidence of smoking on restenosis was investigated in 2948 patients. They were prospectively enrolled in four major restenosis trials in which quantitative angiography was used before and immediately after successful angioplasty and again at six months.


RESULTS
Within the study population there were 530 current smokers, 1690 ex-smokers, and 728 non-smokers. Smokers were more likely to be men (85.9% v 87. 5% v 65.3%, current v ex- v non-, p < 0.001), to be younger (54.0 (9. 0) v 57.0 (9.1) v 59.9 (9.4) years, p < 0.001), to have peripheral vascular disease (7.2% v 5.5% v 2.3%, p < 0.001), and have sustained a previous myocardial infarction (42.9% v 43.9% v 37.9%, p = 0.022), but were less likely to be diabetic (9.1% v 9.5% v 12.6%, p = 0.043) or hypertensive (24.9% v 29.3% v 37.2, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the categorical restenosis rate (> 50% diameter stenosis) at six months (35.28% v 35.33% v 37.09%, current v ex- v non-), or the absolute loss (0.29 (0.54) v 0.33 (0.52) v 0. 35 (0.55) mm, respectively; p = 0.172).


CONCLUSIONS
Although smokers have a lower incidence of known predisposing risk factors for atherosclerosis, they require coronary intervention almost six years earlier than non-smokers and three years earlier than ex-smokers. Once they undergo successful coronary angioplasty, there appears to be no evidence that smoking influences their short term (six month) outcome, but because of the known long term effects of smoking, patients should still be encouraged to discontinue the habit.
Violaris
A G
AG
Academic Cardiology Unit, St Mary's Hospital, London W2, UK.
Thury
A
A
Regar
E
E
Melkert
R
R
Serruys
P W
PW
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013997:Time Factors