Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and the Carotid Arteries Calcification Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension.
The arteries calcification index is a quantitative, mathematically estimated parameter characterizing the total amount of calcium within atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries. The objective is to determine a relationship between exposure to cigarette smoke and the carotid arteries calcification index in patients with essential hypertension. The tested group included 66 patients with essential hypertension: 19 active smokers (subgroup A), 20 non-smokers, environmentally exposed to cigarette smoke (subgroup B) and 27 persons without exposure to cigarette smoke (subgroup C). The tested group was subjected to computed tomography angiography of carotid arteries. Evaluation of the carotid arteries calcification indexes was conducted. The average value of the total calcification index of the carotid arteries (CAci) amounted to 368.28 ± 384.21. In subgroup A and B in relation to subgroup C, CAci was significantly higher. In summary, active and passive smoking in patients with essential hypertension may be associated with a higher calcification index of carotid arteries.
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Weigla 5, 50-981, Wrocław, Poland. pawelgac@interia.pl.|Department of Hygiene, Wroclaw Medical University, Mikulicza-Radeckiego 7, 50-368, Wrocław, Poland. pawelgac@interia.pl.
Paweł
P
Gać
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, 4th Military Hospital, Weigla 5, 50-981, Wrocław, Poland.
Przemysław
P
Jaźwiec
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases and Hypertension, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556, Wrocław, Poland.
Grzegorz
G
Mazur
Department of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases and Hypertension, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, 50-556, Wrocław, Poland.
Rafał
R
Poręba
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods; D000075222:Essential Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Active smoking; Calcification index; Carotid arteries; Cigarette smoke; Computed tomography angiography; Essential hypertension; Passive smoking