Background
Smoking increases risks of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity by multiple potential mechanisms. The right ventricle hasn't been well studied in the healthy heavy smokers' population in which chest causes of right ventricle dysfunction hasn't progressed yet.
Aim
to evaluate right ventricular functions in healthy heavy chronic cigarette smokers using conventional echocardiography (measuring TAPSE) and speckle tracking echocardiography as a non-invasive method of assessment.
Patients and methods
All participants were subjected to clinical examination, spirometry and oxygen saturation analysis, ECG, a full echocardiographic study focusing on the right ventricle, right atrium parameters and speckle tracking.
Results
The enrolled population were 300 cases, divided into 200 healthy heavy smokers and 100 nonsmokers. There was a significantly lower RV function in the heavy smokers' group by TAPSE, FAC and RV GLS. Moreover, there were also higher pulse, blood pressure and PASP in the same group. Right atrial area and function by speckle tracking were also affected in heavy smokers.
Conclusion
Heavy chronic cigarette smoking among healthy individuals is associated with decreased function of RV that can be analysed by different echocardiographic modalities e.g., TAPSE, RV FAC and RV GLS using speckle tracking.