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Exposure to wildfire smoke increases risk for acute CV events
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In a new study, people exposed to higher concentrations of fine particulate matter during large wildfires were at increased risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and ischemic heart disease.
Researchers evaluated data on CV events collected from three health-based administrative registries within Victoria, Australia, between December 2006 and January 2007. During this period, Victoria experienced severe wildfires that resulted in a significant decline in air quality and a high concentration of fine particulate matter air pollutant (PM2.5). The researchers performed smoke dispersion modeling and estimated participant exposure to wildfire smoke emissions.
“The long duration of these wildfires led to widespread smoke dispersion over a wide geographic area,” they wrote. “This provided us with a unique opportunity to investigate acute health impacts in the community.”
During the study, 457 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occurred, along with 2,106 ED visits and 3,274 hospitalizations due to ischemic heart disease. ED visits for acute MI occurred in 788 patients, and 1,131 visited the ED for angina. Hospitalizations due to acute MI and angina occurred in 1,554 patients and 1,534 patients, respectively.
Researchers calculated an association between a 9.04 µg/m3 increase in the interquartile range of PM2.5 during a 2-day moving average (mean exposure concentrations on the day of and 1 day before the CV event) and a 6.98% (95% CI, 1.03-13.29) increase in risk for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This association was more pronounced among men (9.05%; 95% CI, 1.63-17.02) and adults aged 65 years or older (7.25%; 95% CI, 0.24-14.75).
The researchers also observed a 2.07% (95% CI, 0.09-4.09) increase in risk for ED visits due to ischemic heart disease and a 1.86% (95% CI, 0.35-3.44) increase in risk for hospitalization due to ischemic heart disease with a 9.04 µg/m3 increase in the PM2.5 interquartile range 2 days before the CV event. These associations were more pronounced among women (3.21%; 95% CI, 0.82-5.67) and older adults (2.41%; 95% CI, 0.54-4.31).
“The results from our study suggest that PM2.5 exposure from wildfire smoke may be an important determinant of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and [ischemic heart disease] … and that susceptible persons such as older adults may be at higher risk during such extreme events,” the researchers concluded. “Future research is required to investigate the role of fine particulate matter exposure from wildfire smoke in triggering acute coronary events.” – by Adam Taliercio
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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