Triggering of myocardial infarction by increased ambient fine particle concentration: Effect modification by source direction

Abstract

Background Previously, we reported a 18% increased odds of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) associated with each 7.1 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration in the hour prior to MI onset. We found no association with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We examined if this association was modified by PM2.5 source direction. Methods We used the NOAA HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model to calculate each hourly air mass location for the 24 hours before each case or control time period in our previous PM2.5/STEMI case-crossover analysis. Using these data on patients with STEMI (n=338), hourly PM2.5 concentrations, and case-crossover methods, we evaluated whether our PM2.5/STEMI association was modified by whether the air mass passed through each of the 8 cardinal wind direction sectors in the previous 24 hours. Results When the air mass passed through the West-Southwest direction (WSW) any time in the past 24 hours, the odds of STEMI associated with each 7.1 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration in the previous hour (OR=1.27; 95% CI=1.08, 1.22) was statistically significantly (p=0.01) greater than the relative odds of STEMI associated with increased PM2.5 concentration when the wind arrived from any other direction (OR=0.99; 95% CI=0.80, 1.22). We found no other effect modification by any other source direction. Further, relative odds estimates were largest when the time spent in the WSW was 8-16 hours, compared to ≤7 hours or 17-24 hours, suggesting that particles arising from sources in this direction were more potent in triggering STEMIs. Conclusions Since relative odds estimates were higher when the air mass passed through the WSW octant in the past 24 hours, there may be specific components of the ambient aerosol that are more potent in triggering STEMIs. This direction is associated with substantial emissions from coal-fired power plants and other industrial sources of the Ohio River Valley, many of which are undergoing modifications to reduce their emissions.

Temporal changes in short-term associations between cardiorespiratory emergency department visits and PM2.5 in Los Angeles, 2005 to 2016

“…For example, the risk of CVD ED visits associated with increased OC concentrations had an increasing trend over time, which coincided with the increasing percentage of OC in PM 2.5 total mass (OC was the only major component with an increasing percentage of PM 2.5 total mass over time). An increasing percentage of OC might include both reactive oxygen species and species with oxidative potential, which could potentially result in increased oxidative stress and exacerbation of cardiorespiratory diseases (Hopke et al 2015). Previous studies conducted in New York State also suggested that secondary OC could be a key component leading to temporal changes in the risk of adverse health outcomes associated with PM 2.5 as oxidative stress is associated more with secondary organic aerosols Hopke et al 2019;Zhang et al 2018).…”

Source apportionment for fine particulate matter in a Chinese city using an improved gas-constrained method and comparison with multiple receptor models

“…In Sun's studies, the average concentration of PM 2.5 from 1999 to 2011 was 37 mg m À3 in Hong Kong (Sun et al, 2015). In New York (USA), the mean PM 2.5 concentration was only 8 mg m À3 (Hopke et al, 2015), which is far lower than that in Tianjin. Knowing this, there are still many actions to be taken to reduce PM 2.5 emissions.…”

Relationship between Particulate Matter Pollution and Acute Coronary Syndrome Incidence

“…In Europe, CVD is the cause of nearly half (45%) of all deaths [1]. Recently, studies throughout the world have been connecting the emergence of the CVD with air pollution levels [2][3][4][5][6]. Increased levels of air pollutants constitute an additional risk factor for CVD, especially in metropolitan areas [7].…”