Risk for MI, Stroke, Death Increased With Plastics in Carotid Plaques
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, March 8, 2024 -- Patients in whom microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are detected within carotid plaques have an increased risk for a composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause, according to a study published in the March 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Raffaele Marfella, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Naples, Italy, and colleagues conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study involving patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery disease. The excised carotid plaque specimens were analyzed for the presence of MNPs. A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study; 257 completed a mean follow-up of 33.7 ± 6.9 months.
Overall, 150 patients (58.4 percent) had polyethylene detected in carotid artery plaques, with a mean level of 21.7 ± 24.5 µg/mg of plaque; 31 patients (12.1 percent) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride (mean of 5.2 ± 2.4 µg/mg of plaque). The researchers identified visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris on electron microscopy. Some of these particles included chlorine on radiographic examination. The risk for a primary end-point event (a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause) was higher in patients in whom MNPs were detected within the atheroma versus those in whom these substances were not detected (hazard ratio, 4.53).
"Patients with MNPs that were detected in carotid artery plaque have a higher risk of a composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up," the authors write.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted March 2024
Read this next
Delay in Hospital Arrival After Stroke Linked to Social Vulnerability
THURSDAY, May 30, 2024 -- Areas with a high incidence of delay in hospital arrival after ischemic stroke are characterized by increased social vulnerability, according to a study...
Infarct Size Does Not Affect Treatment Effect of Early Versus Late DOAC
TUESDAY, May 28, 2024 -- For individuals with minor, moderate, or major stroke, the treatment effect of early versus late direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) initiation does not...
Extreme Temperatures Linked to Increased Risk for Stroke Death
FRIDAY, May 24, 2024 -- Extreme cold and hot temperatures are associated with an increased risk for death from ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, according to a study published...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.