The cardiovascular effects on fibrinolytic activity by urban air pollution are still unknown.
Methods
Paired fasting blood samples during high and low air pollution days in Taipei were taken from a panel of 49 patients with coronary heart disease or multiple risk factors to study their fibrinolytic and inflammatory response to urban air pollution. Paired t-tests and mixed-effects models were used to determine the air pollution effects.
Results
Patients' plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels were significantly increased when hourly concentrations of particulate matter with diameters less than 10 μm (PM10) were greater than 100 μg/m3 during the period 0800 to 1800 h.
Conclusion
Urban air pollution has an adverse effect on plasma fibrinolytic function in a susceptible population.
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