Current Smoking is a Risk Factor for the Irregular Surface and Calcification of Carotid Plaque in Men

Objective: To explore whether current smoking could influence plaque characteristics and determine its correlation to the irregular surface and calcification of carotid plaque. Methods: Three hundred and seventeen patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis stenosis (SCAS) detected by color duplex flow imaging (CDFI) and confirmed by CT angiography (CTA) were recruited. The results of laboratory parameters were collected by using electronic database of the hospital. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning and high-resolution ultrasonography were performed for assessment of plaque morphology, respectively. Results: All enrolled smokers and non-smokers had no significant difference among all characteristics not related to smoking. CT scanning could efficiently identify the difference among enrolled smokers and non-smokers not only for the characteristics related to smoking but also the onsets of carotid plaque. Surface morphology was also efficiently detected by ultrasonography. Further ridge trace analysis showed that ultrasonography is efficient for diagnosis of calcified plaque compared with gold standard for plaque diagnosis. Further correlation analysis showed that ultrasonography parameters could offer reliable evidence for plaque scores, which was associated with age index. Ultrasonography parameters could efficiently differentiate plaque morphologies among enrolled smokers and never-smokers. Conclusion: Current smoking was positively associated with plaque calcification onsets, and smoking cessation could efficiently attenuate such injury. High-frequency ultrasound can clearly distinguish the details of calcification with promising clinical significance for current smoking patients.

Automated summary

The study enrolled 317 patients with severe carotid atherosclerosis stenosis and found that there was no significant difference in plaque characteristics between smokers and non-smokers, but smoking was positively correlated with plaque calcification. Ultrasonography was efficient in diagnosing plaque morphology and calcification, with promising clinical significance for current smoking patients.