Urban Air Pollution Increases Plasma Fibrinogen and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Levels in Susceptible Patients

Background: 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 [mu]m (PM10) were greater than 100 [mu]g/m3 during the period 0800 to 1800 h. Conclusion: Urban air pollution has an adverse effect on plasma fibrinolytic function in a susceptible population