OBJECTIVES To assess the influence of smoking on restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS The incidence of smoking on restenosis was investigated in 2948 patients. They were prospectively enrolled in four major restenosis trials in which quantitative angiography was used before and immediately after successful angioplasty and again at six months.

RESULTS Within the study population there were 530 current smokers, 1690 ex-smokers, and 728 non-smokers. Smokers were more likely to be men (85.9% v87.5% v 65.3%, currentv ex- v non-, p < 0.001), to be younger (54.0 (9.0) v57.0 (9.1) v 59.9 (9.4) years, p < 0.001), to have peripheral vascular disease (7.2%v 5.5% v 2.3%, p < 0.001), and have sustained a previous myocardial infarction (42.9% v 43.9%v 37.9%, p = 0.022), but were less likely to be diabetic (9.1% v 9.5%v 12.6%, p = 0.043) or hypertensive (24.9% v 29.3%v 37.2, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the categorical restenosis rate (> 50% diameter stenosis) at six months (35.28% v35.33% v 37.09%, currentv ex- v non-), or the absolute loss (0.29 (0.54) v 0.33 (0.52)v 0.35 (0.55) mm, respectively; p = 0.172).

CONCLUSIONS Although smokers have a lower incidence of known predisposing risk factors for atherosclerosis, they require coronary intervention almost six years earlier than non-smokers and three years earlier than ex-smokers. Once they undergo successful coronary angioplasty, there appears to be no evidence that smoking influences their short term (six month) outcome, but because of the known long term effects of smoking, patients should still be encouraged to discontinue the habit.