Effect of smoking on great saphenous vein tone

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of smoking on the great saphenous vein tension. Methods The rings of great saphenous vein in 3mm long of selected from 31 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into three groups :smoking over 10 years( group A, n = 12 ), ex-smoking over 1 years ( group B, n =9 ) and non-smoking( group C, n =10). The changes of the tone were measured in organ chamber at 37℃ with a constant supply of oxygen when vasoconstriction induced by phenylephrine ( 10 -9 - 10 -5 mmol/L), and vasodilatation by acetylcholine ( 10 -9 - 10 -5 mmol/L) or nitroglycerin( 10 -9 - 10 -4 mmol/L)after the rings were precontracted by 10 -5 mmol/L phenylephrine. Results Vasoconstriction induced by phenylephrine and vasodilatation by nitroglycerin is no significant difference among three groups. Compared with group A, vasodilatation by acetylcholine was significantly increased in group B or C, while there is no significant difference between group B and C. Conclusion Smoking has a deleterious effect on the endothelial function of great saphenous vein, however, smoking cessation over 1 year may help to restore the endothelial function impaired by smoking. Key words: Smoking; Coronary artery bypass; Veins; Vasodilation