Haematological and haemorheological changes associated with cigarette smoking.

G Galea, R J Davidson

A prospective study was undertaken to establish the haematological and haemorheological changes associated with long standing cigarette smoking in 20 heavy smokers and to assess whether any such changes were reversible after smoking was stopped. Highly significant differences were observed in whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentrations, packed cell volume, and carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations between smokers and non-smokers. Ten of the subjects were followed up for two weeks after stopping smoking by which time whole blood viscosity and carboxyhaemoglobin concentrations had improved significantly and indications of improvement could be seen in all other measurements. Two of these subjects were further followed up for two months when all the measured variables were comparable with those in non-smokers. No correlation could be established between carboxyhaemoglobin concentration and any of the other variables. Although patients' compliance may be difficult to obtain, further prospective studies would be required to confirm our findings.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Havelius, U., Hansen, F. (2005). Ocular Vasodynamic Changes in Light and Darkness in Smokers. IOVS 46: 1698-1705 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Violaris, A G, Thury, A, Regar, E, Melkert, R, Serruys, P W (2000). Influence of a history of smoking on short term (six month) clinical and angiographic outcome after successful coronary angioplasty. Heart 84: 299-306 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ryan, A. S., Katzel, L. I., Gardner, A. W. (2000). Determinants of Peak V.O2 in Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease Patients. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences 55: 302B-306 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Potula, V., Hu, H. (1996). Relationship of Hemoglobin To Occupational Exposure To Motor Vehicle Exhaust. Toxicol Ind Health 12: 629-637 [Abstract]  
• Gudmundsson, M., Bjelle, A. (1993). Plasma, Serum and Whole-Blood Viscosity Variations with Age, Sex, and Smoking Habits. ANGIOLOGY 44: 384-391 [Abstract]  
• Gill, J. S., Shipley, M. J., Tsementzis, S. A., Hornby, R., Gill, S. K., Hitchcock, E. R., Beevers, D. G. (1989). Cigarette Smoking: A Risk Factor for Hemorrhagic and Nonhemorrhagic Stroke. Arch Intern Med 149: 2053-2057 [Abstract]  
• Krupski, W. C., Rapp, J. H. (1988). Smoking and Atherosclerosis. PERSPECT VASC SURG ENDOVASC THER 1: 103-134