KCNA3 and atherosclerosis: This relation has been confirmed in several studies, including Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities and Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.[15,17] Mechanisms behind the association between smoking and larger vessel caliber remain to be elucidated, but stimulation of nitrous oxide production and potassium channel activation by nicotine and increased metalloproteinases causing fragmentation of elastic fibers and collagen might contribute to explaining the association of smoking with a wider CRAE and CRVE.[21,22]