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 microm (PM10) were greater than 100 microg/m during the period 0800 to 1800 h. CONCLUSION: Urban air pollution has an adverse effect on plasma fibrinolytic function in a susceptible population.