ArticleBMJ open2013
Does smoking cessation with varenicline worsen vascular endothelial function?
Article in BMJ open, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effects of smoking cessation interventions on vascular health markers: a scoping review.Internal and emergency medicine · 2026Article
- Effects of smoking cessation on endothelial function as assessed by flow-mediated total dilation.Cardiovascular ultrasound · 2024Article
- Article
- Role of Blood Stasis Syndrome of Kampo Medicine in the Early Pathogenic Stage of Atherosclerosis: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2021Article
- Establishment of epigenetic markers to predict irradiation efficacy against oropharyngeal cancer.Cancer science · 2020Article
- Serum Cystatin C, a Sensitive Marker of Renal Function and Cardiovascular Disease, Decreases After Smoking Cessation.Circulation reports · 2019Article
- Smoking cessation in Asians: focus on varenicline.Patient preference and adherence · 2015Review
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesA meta-analysis suggested that the use of varenicline, which is a partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and is effective in smoking cessation, increases the risk of cardiovascular events within 52 weeks of starting treatment. Defining these events as occurring during drug treatment (usually for 12 weeks) or within 30 days of discontinuation, another meta-analysis showed that the risk was statistically insignificant. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effect of varenicline-assisted smoking cessation on vascular endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).
designBefore-after and time-series.
settingTochigi Prefecture, Japan.
participantsData of 85 participants who visited nicotine-dependent outpatient services were reviewed. FMD was repeatedly measured in 33 of the 85 participants. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 20 years and older, Brinkman index ≥200, Tobacco Dependence Screener ≥5 and stated motivation to quit smoking.
interventionsEach participant was treated with varenicline titrated up to 1.0 mg twice daily (for 12 weeks in total). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were evaluated by FMD prior to, and 3 months after, complete smoking cessation. Follow-up FMD measurements were carried out every 3 months if possible. Changes in FMD during varenicline use were also evaluated.
resultsFMD was significantly increased from 4.0±1.8% to 5.5±2.2% (p<0.01, n=22) 3 months after complete cessation. Although the timecourse of FMD in most of the cases showed an increase with fluctuations, there was an exceptional case where FMD decreased over the 9 months following complete cessation. Although statistically insignificant, FMD also increased during varenicline use (from 3.7±2.7% to 4.3±2.8%, n=11).
conclusionsOur observations suggest that in ceasing smokers, varenicline and smoking cessation do not lead to a worsening of the vascular endothelial function.
trial registrationFK-79 (International University of Health and Welfare).
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