E-cigarettes and their lone constituents induce cardiac arrhythmia and conduction defects in mice

Alex P. Carll (), Claudia Arab, Renata Salatini, Meredith D. Miles, Matthew A. Nystoriak, Kyle L. Fulghum, Daniel W. Riggs, Gregg A. Shirk, Whitney S. Theis, Nima Talebi, Aruni Bhatnagar and Daniel J. Conklin
Additional contact information
Alex P. Carll: University of Louisville
Claudia Arab: University of Louisville
Renata Salatini: University of Louisville
Meredith D. Miles: University of Louisville
Matthew A. Nystoriak: University of Louisville
Kyle L. Fulghum: University of Louisville
Daniel W. Riggs: University of Louisville
Gregg A. Shirk: University of Louisville
Whitney S. Theis: University of Louisville
Nima Talebi: University of Louisville
Aruni Bhatnagar: University of Louisville
Daniel J. Conklin: University of Louisville

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract E-cigarette use has surged, but the long-term health effects remain unknown. E-cigarette aerosols containing nicotine and acrolein, a combustion and e-cigarette byproduct, may impair cardiac electrophysiology through autonomic imbalance. Here we show in mouse electrocardiograms that acute inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols disturbs cardiac conduction, in part through parasympathetic modulation. We demonstrate that, similar to acrolein or combustible cigarette smoke, aerosols from e-cigarette solvents (vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol) induce bradycardia, bradyarrhythmias, and elevations in heart rate variability during inhalation exposure, with inverse post-exposure effects. These effects are slighter with tobacco- or menthol-flavored aerosols containing nicotine, and in female mice. Yet, menthol-flavored and PG aerosols also increase ventricular arrhythmias and augment early ventricular repolarization (J amplitude), while menthol uniquely alters atrial and atrioventricular conduction. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosols from vegetable glycerin and its byproduct, acrolein, diminish heart rate and early repolarization. The pro-arrhythmic effects of solvent aerosols on ventricular repolarization and heart rate variability depend partly on parasympathetic modulation, whereas ventricular arrhythmias positively associate with early repolarization dependent on the presence of nicotine. Our study indicates that chemical constituents of e-cigarettes could contribute to cardiac risk by provoking pro-arrhythmic changes and stimulating autonomic reflexes.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33203-1

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