At the KAHN CENTER, we strive to keep at the cutting edge of science and preventive care.
On of topics we discuss with patients is their exposure to plastics, microplastics, and nanoplastics. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
A new study aimed to evaluate the burden of MNPs in coronary blood across the spectrum of coronary artery disease (CAD), and their association with air pollution exposure and inflammation was recently published and raises the concern.
A cross-sectional study, including 61 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD, stratified into: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, n = 19), chronic coronary syndromes (CCS, n = 20), and controls with normal coronary arteries (n = 22).
MNPs were quantified in coronary and peripheral blood using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and laser direct infrared spectroscopy. Air pollution exposure data were collected on the day of the invasive procedure (acute exposure) and over the preceding 2 years (chronic exposure).
MNPs were detected significantly more frequently in STEMI patients (84.2%) than in CCS (40%) and controls (31.8%), with higher concentration and greater polymer diversity.
Polyethylene was the predominant polymer (97%). The same polymers were consistently identified in peripheral and coronary blood samples from individual patients, with the highest concentrations in coronary blood.
STEMI patients showed higher levels of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α and were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 air pollution.
MNP detection was more frequent among smokers and patients exposed to PM2.5 , with all patients presenting both factors showing detectable MNPs).
In multivariable analysis, smoking history emerged as the only independent predictor of MNP presence.
STEMI patients exhibited a greater burden of MNPs in coronary blood than CCS and controls. MNP detection frequently co-occurred with elevated inflammatory biomarkers, greater PM2.5 exposure as a measure of air pollution, and smoking, suggesting a potential association between environmental exposure and CAD.
This is fascinating data and shows how much we have advanced from mainly focusing on LDL-cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressures. While those measurements can be critically important, their are many factors influencing the risk of CAD and heart attack.
At the KAHN CENTER, we will continue to teach avoidance of plastics as much as possible. Of course, we will counsel people to quit smoking. Air pollution is a more difficult issue but home and office air filters are used at the CENTER and recommended for all.
