Marques ER, et al. – In this study comparing smokers and nonsmokers, researchers assessed the correlations of local circumferential wall tension (CWT), markers of vascular remodeling and stiffness, and traditional risk factors with popliteal and carotid plaques. They calculated the popliteal and carotid CWT measures in supine and orthostatic positions, and supine position, respectively. Popliteal plaques were more common in smokers vs nonsmokers. They investigators did not note an association of popliteal plaques with differences in traditional vascular risk factors among smokers. However, they did observe a greater likelihood of older age, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, and lower arterial compliance among nonsmokers with popliteal plaques. Findings suggested that peripheral artery disease risk factors may differ among smokers and nonsmokers, and that atherosclerosis in lower limb arteries may be directly related to hemodynamic forces among smokers.