Luca Spiezia1, Elena Campello1, Maria Bon1, Sara Maggiolo1, Elena Pelizzaro1, Paolo Simioni2. 1. Department of Cardiologic, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Italy. 2. Department of Cardiologic, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: paolo.simioni@unipd.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The association between air pollution exposure and occurrence of venous thromboembolism is a matter of debate. This retrospective case-control study investigated the associations between one month's exposure to elevated levels of different pollutants (i.e. PM10, CO, NOx, O3, SO2, Benzene, Benzoapyrene, Nickel, Lead Arsenic) and the development of acute isolated pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: The cases included 33 patients consecutively admitted to Padua Hospital with an objectively proven diagnosis of acute unprovoked (i.e. without predisposing conditions) isolated (i.e. without deep vein thrombosis) PE. The control group consisted of 72 consecutive patients with objectively proven acute provoked (i.e. associated to predisposing conditions) isolated PE. Average mean concentrations of pollutants in the month before PE diagnosis were computed by monitors located at 2 different sites throughout the city of Padua, and were obtained from the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection. RESULTS: Individuals who had PM10, NOx, Benzene, Benzoapyrene, Cadmium, and Lead exposure equal/above the 2nd tertile, measured in controls, showed a significant increase in the risk of unprovoked PE. In case of PM10 and Benzoapyrene this risk was not affected after adjustment for possible confounders. In fact, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the OR values were 5.24 (95% CI: 1.52-18.12) for PM10 and 3.95 (95% CI: 1.06-14.71) for Benzoapyrene exposure in the month before PE diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, although preliminary, identify short-term (i.e. one month) exposure to elevate levels of air pollutants as a possible risk factor for the development of acute isolated PE. Larger studies are needed to confirm our results.
BACKGROUND: The association between air pollution exposure and occurrence of venous thromboembolism is a matter of debate. This retrospective case-control study investigated the associations between one month's exposure to elevated levels of different pollutants (i.e. PM10, CO, NOx, O3, SO2, Benzene, Benzoapyrene, Nickel, Lead Arsenic) and the development of acute isolated pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: The cases included 33 patients consecutively admitted to Padua Hospital with an objectively proven diagnosis of acute unprovoked (i.e. without predisposing conditions) isolated (i.e. without deep vein thrombosis) PE. The control group consisted of 72 consecutive patients with objectively proven acute provoked (i.e. associated to predisposing conditions) isolated PE. Average mean concentrations of pollutants in the month before PE diagnosis were computed by monitors located at 2 different sites throughout the city of Padua, and were obtained from the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection. RESULTS: Individuals who had PM10, NOx, Benzene, Benzoapyrene, Cadmium, and Lead exposure equal/above the 2nd tertile, measured in controls, showed a significant increase in the risk of unprovoked PE. In case of PM10 and Benzoapyrene this risk was not affected after adjustment for possible confounders. In fact, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the OR values were 5.24 (95% CI: 1.52-18.12) for PM10 and 3.95 (95% CI: 1.06-14.71) for Benzoapyrene exposure in the month before PE diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results, although preliminary, identify short-term (i.e. one month) exposure to elevate levels of air pollutants as a possible risk factor for the development of acute isolated PE. Larger studies are needed to confirm our results.
Authors: Hamidreza Aghababaeian; Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh; Ali Ardalan; Ali Asgary; Mehry Akbary; Mir Saeed Yekaninejad; Rahim Sharafkhani; Carolyn Stephens Journal: Environ Health Insights Date: 2021-11-19
Authors: Behcet Al; Mustafa Bogan; Suat Zengin; Mustafa Sabak; Seval Kul; M Murat Oktay; Hasan Bayram; Ertan Vuruskan Journal: Emerg Med Int Date: 2018-07-02 Impact factor: 1.112