Longitudinal Effects of Cigarette Smoking and Smoking Cessation on Aortic Wave Reflections, Pulse Wave Velocity, and Carotid Artery Distensibility

Background We evaluated the effects of smoking and smoking cessation on aortic wave reflections (augmentation index), aortic pulse wave velocity, and carotid artery distensibility and stiffness (distensibility coefficient, Young's elastic modulus). Methods and Results Current smokers underwent carotid, radial, and femoral artery tonometry and carotid ultrasound at baseline and 3 years after a quit attempt. Baseline associations of smoking...