Effects of Switching From Cigarettes to Tobacco Heating System on Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression

Overview

Objective: To evaluate the impact of heated versus combustion tobacco products on progression of atherosclerosis in patients with CAD unable(unwilling) to quit smoking. Rationale: Despite the efforts to curb smoking and full awareness of its deleterious health impact, smoking remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Some health impact of smoking may be improved by other forms of cigarettes than traditional combustion, especially for subjects unwilling or unable to stop smoking. As recently as 2020, one of heated tobacco products (HTP)(IQOS) was FDA Authorized as a 'Reduced Exposure' product. The available evidence to date allows to conclude that the IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it, which significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. Scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduced body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. There is also evidence indicating lower levels of inflammatory markers and improved vascular function associated with use of heated tobacco products. However, it is unknown whether the reduction in the exposure translates into potential reduction of harm within cardiovascular system, as compared to the traditional (combustion) cigarettes. The evidence is of crucial importance for patients with cardiovascular diseases, medical community, and national health authorities planning evidence based policies regarding HTP/cigarettes.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of heated versus combustion tobacco products on progression of atherosclerosis in patients with CAD unable(unwilling) to quit smoking. Background Despite the efforts to curb smoking and full awareness of its deleterious health impact, smoking remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Some health impact of smoking may be improved by other forms of cigarettes than traditional combustion, especially for subjects unwilling or unable to stop smoking. As recently as 2020, one of heated tobacco products (HTP)(IQOS) was FDA Authorized as a 'Reduced Exposure' product. The available evidence to date allows to conclude that the IQOS system heats tobacco but does not burn it, which significantly reduces the production of harmful and potentially harmful chemicals. Scientific studies have shown that switching completely from conventional cigarettes to the IQOS system significantly reduced body's exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals. There is also evidence indicating lower levels of inflammatory markers and improved vascular function associated with use of heated tobacco products. However, it is unknown whether the reduction in the exposure translates into potential reduction of harm within cardiovascular system, as compared to the traditional (combustion) cigarettes. The evidence is of crucial importance for patients with cardiovascular diseases, medical community, and national health authorities planning evidence based policies regarding HTP/cigarettes. Methods: Prospective, single-centre, open-label, randomised study including 180 stable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) as diagnosed on CCTA, without indications for invasive treatment, unable(unwilling) to quit smoking, randomised 1:1 to either heated (group H) or combustion (group C) tobacco products and followed for 18 months. The follow-up is accomplished with CCTA scan. The study clinical visits are planned at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. The primary outcome is change in non calcified plaque volume at 18 months between H and C groups (intention to treat design).