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Air pollutants harm heart structure, function

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Higher exposure to fine particulate matter was associated with significantly larger left ventricular volumes and lower ejection fraction, according to data presented at EuroCMR in Prague.

“There is strong evidence that particulate matter emitted mainly form diesel road vehicles is associated with increased risk [for MI], HF and death,” Nay Aung, MD, a cardiologist and Wellcome Trust research fellow at the William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University, London, said in a press release. “This appears to be driven by an inflammatory response — inhalation of fine particulate matter causes localized inflammation of the lungs followed by a more systemic inflammation affecting the whole body.”

To measure structure and function of the heart, the researchers used cardiac MRI to evaluate LV volume and EF.

Exposure to fine particulate matter was assessed based on the participant’s address.

The researchers studied 4,255 participants (mean age, 62 years; 47% men) from the UK Biobank community-based cohort.

The average exposure to fine particulate matter was 10 g/m³.

A linear relationship was found between exposure and heart function; with every 5-g/m³ increase in exposure, there was a 4.2% (95% CI, 0.5-7.9) higher LV end-diastolic volume (P = .03), an 8.1% (95% CI, 2.4-13.9) larger LV end-systolic volume (P = .005) and a 1.6% (95% CI, 0.1-3) decrease in LVEF (P = .04).

“We found that as [fine particulate matter] exposure rises, the larger the heart gets and the worse it performs,” Aung said. “Both of these measures are associated with increased morbidity and mortality from heart disease.”

The researchers also found that participants with degree-level education were less likely to have higher exposure to fine particulate matter.

“This could be due to a number of factors, including better housing and workplace conditions, which reduce pollution exposure. Educated people may also be more aware of their health, have healthier lifestyles and have better access to health care,” Aung said. “Reducing [fine particulate matter] emission should be an urgent public health priority and the worst offenders such as diesel vehicles should be addressed with policy measures.” – by Cassie Homer

Reference:

Aung N, et al. Best oral abstracts. Presented at: EuroCMR; May 25-27, 2017; Prague.

Disclosures: Aung reports no relevant financial disclosures.