This study will examine the short-term cardiovascular (CV) effects of e-cigarette device power in a randomized, crossover clinical and behavioral pharmacology study of experienced adult e-cigarette users (N=21). The specific aim is to determine the impact of e-cigarette power on nicotine pharmacology, systemic exposure to toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and short-term cardiovascular effects.
This is a single-site, randomized, crossover study of experienced adult e-cigarette users to assess nicotine exposure, toxicant exposure, and the short-term CV effects of e-cigarette power. Three power levels will be assessed on all participants: 10, 35, and 70 watts. Hypothesis 1a: Systemic nicotine exposure and subjective measures of sensation in the throat, reward, and satisfaction will increase with increasing power in the e-cigarette device. Hypothesis 1b: Mercapturic acid metabolites of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly acrolein, will increase with e-cigarette power. Hypothesis 1c: CV effects increase with higher power, and are manifested as changes in hemodynamic parameters, hormonal release, and biomarkers of endothelial function, platelet activation, inflammation, and oxidative stress.