Images from cardiac MRI native T1 mapping reveal that higher long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution is associated with higher extent of myocardial fibrosis.
Higher long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution was linked with higher levels of myocardial fibrosis in both the patients with cardiomyopathy and the controls, suggesting that myocardial fibrosis may be an underlying mechanism by which air pollution leads to cardiovascular complications. The largest effects were seen in women, smokers and patients with hypertension.
The study adds to growing evidence that air pollution is a cardiovascular risk factor, contributing to residual risk not accounted for by conventional clinical predictors such as smoking or hypertension. “Even modest increases in air pollution levels appear to have measurable effects on the heart,” Dr. Hanneman stated. “Our study suggests that air quality may play a significant role in modifys to heart structure, potentially setting the stage for future cardiovascular disease.”
Knowing a patient’s long-term air pollution exposure history could support refine heart disease risk assessment and address the health inequities that air pollution contributes to both in level of exposure and effect. For instance, Dr. Hanneman stated, if an individual works outside in an area with poor air quality, healthcare providers could incorporate that exposure history into heart disease risk assessment.
The air pollution exposure levels of the patients in the study were below many of the global air quality guidelines, reinforcing that there are no safe exposure limits. “Public health measures are necessaryed to further reduce long-term air pollution exposure,” Dr. Hanneman stated. “There have been improvements in air quality over the past decade, both in Canada and the United States, but we still have a long way to go.”
In addition to illuminating the links between air pollution and myocardial fibrosis, the study highlights the important role that radiologists will play in research and clinical developments going forward. “Medical imaging can be utilized as a tool to understand environmental effects on a patient’s health,” Dr. Hanneman stated. “As radiologists, we have a tremconcludeous opportunity to utilize imaging to identify and quantify some of the health effects of environmental exposures in various organ systems.”
Source: Radiological Society of North America
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