title: Preliminary results of an examination of electronic cigarette user puff topography: the effect of a mouthpiece-based topography measurement device on plasma nicotine and subjective effects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) heat a nicotine-containing solution; the resulting aerosol is inhaled by the user. Nicotine delivery may be affected by users' puffing behavior (puff topography), and little is known about the puff topography of ECIG users. Puff topography can be measured using mouthpiece-based computerized systems. However, the extent to which a mouthpiece influences nicotine delivery and subjective effects in ECIG users is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma nicotine concentration, heart rate, and subjective effects were measured in 13 experienced ECIG users who used their preferred ECIG and liquid (≥ 12 mg/ml nicotine) during 2 sessions (with or without a mouthpiece). In both sessions, participants completed an ECIG use session in which they were instructed to take 10 puffs with 30-second inter-puff intervals. Puff topography was recorded in the mouthpiece condition.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost all measures of the effects of ECIG use were independent of topography measurement. Collapsed across session, mean plasma nicotine concentration increased by 16.8 ng/ml, and mean heart rate increased by 8.5 bpm (ps < .05). Withdrawal symptoms decreased significantly after ECIG use. Participants reported that the mouthpiece affected awareness and made ECIG use more difficult. Relative to previously reported data for tobacco cigarette smokers using similar topography measurement equipment, ECIG-using participants took larger and longer puffs with lower flow rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In experienced ECIG users, measuring ECIG topography did not influence ECIG-associated nicotine delivery or most measures of withdrawal suppression. Topography measurement systems will need to account for the low flow rates observed for ECIG users.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA;
authors.forename: Tory R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Spindle
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA;
authors.forename: Alison B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Breland
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Nareg V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Karaoghlanian
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Shihadeh
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Tobacco Products, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA; teissenb@vcu.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eissenberg
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D001519:Behavior; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine