Ambient Air Pollution and Atherosclerosis: Recent Updates

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDuring the past century, exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution< 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) has emerged as an all-pervading element of modern-day society. This increased exposure has come at the cost of heightened risk for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Not only can short-term PM2.5 exposure trigger acute CV events in susceptible individuals, but longer-term exposure over years augments CV risk to a greater extent in comparison with short-term exposure. The purpose of this review is to examine the available evidence for how ambient air pollution exposure may precipitate events at various time frames.Recent FindingsRecent epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between ambient PM2.5 exposure and the presence and progression of atherosclerosis in humans. Multiple animal exposure experiments over two decades have provided strong corroborative evidence that chronic exposure in fact does enhance the progression and perhaps vulnerability characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions.SummaryEvidence from epidemiological studies including surrogates of atherosclerosis, human translational studies, and mechanistic investigations utilizing animal studies have improved our understanding of how ambient air pollution may potentiate atherosclerosis and precipitate cardiovascular events. Even so, future research is needed to fully understand the contribution of different constituents in ambient air pollution –mediated ath...
Source: Current Atherosclerosis Reports - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research