血清尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白和颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与冠状动脉疾病的关系

目的 探讨血清尿酸(UA)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)浓度及颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与冠状动脉疾病的关系.方法 对住院的141例胸痛患者测定血清尿酸、高敏C反应蛋白及颈动脉超声检查,并根据临床表现、心肌酶、肌钙蛋白、心电图及冠状动脉造影结果分成急性冠脉综合征(ACS)、稳定性心绞痛(SA) 及对照组进行分析.结果 颈动脉粥样硬化的患病率ACS组、SA组显著高于对照组(P＜0.05), ACS组的斑块指数和Crouse积分显著高于SA组(P＜0.01),SA组又显著高于对照组(P＜0.01), 血清尿酸、hs-CRP、斑块指数的相对危险度分别为5.347、1.271、6.283,均与ACS高度密切相关.结论 血清尿酸、hs-CRP、颈动脉斑块指数均与冠状动脉病变相关,对预示和诊断ACS及SA有重要意义.     

急性冠脉综合征患者超敏C-反应蛋白、脂蛋白a、脂联素的悬浮芯片技术集成检测及其意义

目的:检测急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者血中超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、脂蛋白a[Lp(a)]及脂联素(APN)3种蛋白因子的浓度并探讨其临床意义.方法:用悬浮芯片技术集成检测116例ACS患者(ACS组)hs-CRP、Lp(a)及APN 3种蛋白因子的浓度,并与30例单纯稳定型心绞痛患者(SAP组)及35例正常人群(NC组)进行对照.结果: ACS组hs-CRP、Lp(a)较SAP组及NC组浓度均增高,APN值则明显降低(均P ＜ 0.05),其中ACS组中AMI 组hs-CRP、Lp(a)浓度高于UAP组,APN值低于UAP组(均P ＜ 0.05).ACS各亚组中预后不良患者hs-CRP、Lp(a)水平高于预后良好者(均P ＜ 0.001),而APN浓度则显著低于预后良好患者(P ＜ 0.01).hs-CRP、Lp(a)的含量与斑块不稳定程度呈显著正相关关系(r=0.592,P ＜ 0.001;r=0.385,P ＜ 0.001),APN的含量与斑块不稳定程度则呈显著负相关关系(r=-0.627,P ＜ 0.001).结论:hs-CRP、Lp(a)、APN可能参与ACS病变全过程,与ACS临床类型及其预后高度相关,因此可用来预测ACS的病变稳定程度和心血管事件发生的危险度,从而判断预后.     

美国急性冠脉综合征的急救护理与进展

急性冠脉综合征 (ACS)包括不稳定心绞痛、急性心肌梗死 (AMl)和猝死 ,是国际公认的急性心血管疾病 ,因其病死率高 ,所以对护理、抢救工作提出了新的挑战。1　ACS的急救管理1.1　快速和有效的干预　在美国的急诊部门 ,一旦胸痛病人明确了ACS的诊断 ,快速和有效的干预即迅速开始。急诊科护士面对的挑战是ACS病人和一般胸痛的鉴别。每年大约4 6 0万具有急性冠脉局部缺血症状的病人来到急诊科 ,其中只有大约 2 5 %的病人确诊后被允许入院。急诊护理决定性的作用在于快速完成对病人的评估 ,并且在早期对ACS高危人群提供及时的紧急看护照顾…     

血小板和单核细胞活化与急性冠脉综合征发生的关系

目的 研究血小板和单核细胞活化相关细胞因子表达与急性冠脉综合征(ACS)的关系.方法 用流式细胞术同时测定74例ACS、58例稳定性心绞痛(SAP)和46例冠脉造影阴性患者血浆中IL-6、IL-8、MCP-1、sCD40L、sP-选择素和可溶性血管细胞黏附分子(s-VCAM)水平.结果 ACS患者各细胞因子水平均显著高于SAP和冠脉造影阴性患者(P＜0.01);Logistic回归分析显示,CRP、IL-6和sCD40L对于ACS的相对危险度(OR)值和95%可信限(95%CI)分别为2.211(1.294～3.778)、1.015(1.003～1.027)和1.000(1.000～1.000).结论 ACS的发生与血小板的活化及相关的细胞因子表达上调有关,检测CRP、IL-6和sCD40L水平可以反映冠心病患者的疾病稳定性.     

血管内超声-虚拟组织学对易损斑块的临床研究

目的 通过血管内超声-虚拟组织学(IVUS-VH)技术对急性冠脉综合征(ACS)和稳定型心绞痛(SA)患者冠状动脉粥样斑块进行实时分析.探讨易损斑块的性质及其临床相关性.方法 对16名ACS患者冠脉进行IVUS-VH研究,与15名SA患者比较,分析两者斑块的性质及其与临床血脂水平的相关性.结果 ACS患者易损斑块发生率显著高于SA患者(P＜0.05),斑块组成以纤维脂肪组织和坏死成分为主,而SA患者斑块纤维成分和钙化成分较高.两组中纤维脂肪组织与低密度脂蛋白(LDL)呈正相关(r=0.08,P＜0.05),与高密度脂蛋白(HDL)呈负相关(r=-0.06,P＜0.05).结论 通过IVUS-VH发现,ACS患者易损斑块发生率明显高于SA患者,且斑块成分不同,与临床血脂水平具有相关性.     

高敏C反应蛋白、细胞凋亡因子和血友病因子对急性冠状动脉综合征进程的影响

目的 观察急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者血浆高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)、可溶性细胞凋亡因子(sFas)和血管性血友病因子(vWF)的变化,探讨凋亡、炎症对冠状动脉粥样硬化进程的影响.方法 ACS患者45例,其中急性心肌梗死(AMI)20例,不稳定型心绞痛(UA)25例,同期入选稳定型心绞痛(SA)20例和对照组20例,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)测定血浆hsCRP、sFas和vWF水平.结果 与对照组和SA组相比,AMI组和UA组hsCRP、sFas和vWF水平显著升高(P＜0.01),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、vWF、sFas和hsCRP是ACS的独立危险因素,其相对危险度分别为9.478、1.026、1.569和2.200;ACS组sFas与vWF、hsCRP、纤维蛋白原(FIB)呈正相关(P＜0.01),hsCRP与FIB呈正相关(P＜0.01).多元逐步回归分析显示,对Gensini评分和FIB的主要影响因素分别为vWF与年龄和hsCRP与sFas,而vWF主要受sFas和年龄的影响.结论 细胞凋亡、炎症可以促进血管内皮损伤和血栓形成,增加动脉粥样硬化斑块的不稳定性,加快ACS的进展.     

血纤维蛋白原胱抑素C在急诊胸痛的临床意义

目的 探讨急诊胸痛患者血浆纤维蛋白原(fibrinogen,Fg)、血清胱抑素C(cystatin C,Cys C)水平及其对急诊胸痛患者诊断、预后的意义.方法 检测对象为2010-01-2011-01我院急诊科接诊的急诊胸痛患者484例,其中不稳定型心绞痛(unstable angina pectoris,UAP)组253例,急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)组126例;非急性冠脉综合征(acutecoronary syndrome,ACS)105例为对照组.用Clauss法测定血浆Fg浓度,免疫比浊法测定血清Cys C浓度.结果 UAP组和AMI组的血浆Fg均高于对照组(P<0.05),UAP组血清Cys C较对照组高(P<0.05),但AMI组血清Cys C与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);而UAP组与AMI组m清Cys C比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 血Fg、Cys C水平的升高可能对急诊胸痛患者的诊断有一定的价值,有助于判别ACS的存在和预后.     

舟山群岛急性冠脉综合征青年患者心律失常发生的类型及危险因素分析

目的 探讨2008年9月至2012年6月舟山群岛44岁以下的青年急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者,入院期间发生心律失常的类型特征及危险因素,为预防猝死提供方案支持.方法 从舟山市人民医院的病历信息系统与远程会诊信息中心的城乡会诊信息系统调取舟山群岛44岁以下的青年急性冠脉征患者,以及同期住院的中年ACS患者和老年ACS患者的信息资料,从心电不稳定、泵衰竭和交感神经兴奋、心动过缓和传导阻滞三大类别分析患者的心律失常类型;从患者的一般情况、心律失常类型、高血压情况、空腹血糖、甲状腺疾病、呼吸睡眠暂停综合征、吸烟史、饮酒史、饮食习惯、早发心律失常家族史、实验室检查等分析患者的危险因素.结果 2008年9月至2012年6月,舟山群岛发生急性冠脉征的青年患者共110例,出现心律失常的75例,明显低于同期因ACS住院的老年患者(54.55％ vs.70.00％,P＜0.01);青年ACS组窦速的发生率最高,与中年ACS组(30.91％ vs.21.67％,P＜0.01)和老年ACS组(30.91％ vs.20.00％,P＜0.01)比较差异具有统计学意义.青年ACS心律失常组与青年ACS非心律失常组、中年ACS心律失常组、老年ACS心律失常组比较,吸烟比例明显增高(78.57％ vs.32.5％ vs.51.25％vs.55.56％,均P＜0.01).建立logistic回归后发现与舟山群岛青年ACS患者发生心律失常独立相关的危险因素依次是:冠脉病变支数(OR=24.293)、甲状腺功能异常(OR=20.353)、吸烟(OR=1.112)、饮酒(OR=1.039)、睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OR=1.356).结论 舟山群岛44岁以下的青年ACS患者,心律失常的出现类型以窦性心动过速、室性早搏、房颤/房扑为主.冠脉病变支数、甲状腺功能异常、吸烟是造成其心律失常的主要危险因素.提示治疗青年ACS患者时,应注重β受体阻滞剂的应用,同时宣传健康生活方式.     

血清新蝶呤在急性冠脉综合征患者中的表达

目的:探讨血清新蝶呤(Npt)在急性冠脉综合征(ACS)患者中的表达.方法:选取2007年9月至2008年12月来我院急诊就诊的ACS患者60例作为试验组,并按临床情况分为不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)组30例及急性心肌梗死(AMI)组30例,同时在我院体检中心选取30例体检正常人群作为对照组.检测实验组入院第1、3、7日和对照组Npt水平及血脂、肝功能、肾功能等,并对各组患者及对照组检验结果进行比较.结果:入院第1日AMI及uAP组的血清Npt浓度显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),而各组之间的年龄、收缩压、舒张压、血糖、血脂、肝功能、肾功能等差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).另ACS患者入院第1日及第3日血清Npt浓度均显著高于其入院第7日血清Npt浓度(P＜0.05).结论:血清中Npt浓度的升高与ACS有关,可能是不稳定斑块及ACS的预测因子.     

超滤法缺血修饰白蛋白检测在急性冠脉综合征早期诊断中的作用

急性冠脉综合征(acute coronary syndrome,ACS)是急诊胸痛患者中最常见的致命性疾患.如何早期诊断ACS是急诊医师面临的一项挑战[1].传统心肌损伤标记物在心肌坏死后才升高,而对ACS迅速诊断并尽早干预,对患者预后极其重要.     

细颗粒物和气温对北京市昌平区儿科呼吸系统疾病日门诊量的交互影响

目的定量评估细颗粒物（PM_2.5）和日平均气温对医院儿科呼吸系统疾病日门诊量的交互影响。方法收集2014 — 2017年北京市昌平区某医院儿科门诊资料、PM_2.5、二氧化硫（SO₂）、二氧化氮（NO₂）浓度资料及气象资料，采用分布滞后非线性模型中的反应平面图法和温度分层法评估PM_2.5和气温对儿科呼吸系统疾病日门诊量的交互影响。结果采用温度的P₂₅，P₇₅分位数将温度分为低温层、适宜温度层和高温层后，累积滞后14 d，PM_2.5每升高10 μg/m3，儿科呼吸系统疾病日门诊量的相对危险度为1.003（0.994~1.011）、1.015（1.007~1.023）和1.039（1.021~ 1.057），与适宜温度相比，高温时PM_2.5对儿科呼吸系统疾病门诊总量的影响更大（P＜0.05）。结论PM_2.5和高温对儿科呼吸系统疾病日门诊量的影响有交互作用，温度越高，PM_2.5对儿科呼吸系统疾病日门诊量的影响越大。     

北京市石景山区室内空气中细颗粒物浓度水平及季节变化特征研究

目的 了解区域室内空气PM2.5浓度水平及分布特征。 方法 选择住宅、学校、办公场所共3个室内监测点和1个室外监测点(设在办公室外),采用重量法测定PM2.5与PM10的质量浓度。监测时间为2013年5月至2014年4月,每月连续监测7 d,每天连续采样24 h。 结果 室内监测点PM2.5浓度总体均值和中位数分别为89 g/m3和61 g/m3;PM2.5浓度中位数Wilcoxon检验结果:住宅(69 g/m3)高于学校(58 g/m3)和办公室(50 g/m3),学校与办公室差异无统计学意义,办公室外(92 g/m3)高于室内;依据GB 3095－2012规定的浓度日均限值二级标准评价:2检验显示室外PM2.5浓度超标率(60.7%)高于室内(41.7%),室内PM2.5浓度超标率高于PM10(22.9%);4个监测点PM2.5日均浓度变化较大但变动趋势一致,共监测到9次PM2.5重度污染( 150 g/m3),累计室内17 d(20.2%),室外24 d(28.6%)。月均PM2.5浓度呈现2-3月(冬季)最高、7-8月(夏季)最低。Wilcoxon检验室内PM2.5/ PM10中位数(84.7%)高于室外(64.1%)。t检验I/O均值显示PM2.5(67.2%) PM10(53.9%)。室内与室外PM2.5浓度呈正相关,回归方程为y(g/m3)=0.841x－14.804。 结论 监测地点室内空气污染较严重;室内空气PM2.5浓度与室外浓度密切相关,随着北京室外PM2.5浓度的季节性变化,室内浓度亦呈现冬季高夏季低的特点。     

血尿酸在不同类型冠心病发生中的作用机制

目的 探讨血尿酸在不同类型冠心病发生中的作用机制.方法 88例住院患者分为对照组、稳定型心绞痛(SA)组和急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)组,分别测定其血尿酸、血小板α-颗粒膜蛋白(GMP-140)、血管性假性血友病因子(vWF)、纤溶酶原激活物抑制物-1(PAI-1)、血栓素B_2(TXB_2)、C-反应蛋白(CRP).结果 (1)①UA、CRP:ACS组[(392.10±68.57)μmol/L、(42.2±39.4)mg/L]和SA组[(370.50±58.80)μmoL/L、(18.9±17.1)mg/L]均高于对照组[(286.00±65.31)μmol/L、(2.5±0.7)mg/L,P均＜0.05];UA在ACS组、SA组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),ACS组CRP高于SA组(P＜0.05);②vWF、TXB_2:ACS组[(1.65±0.48)%、(19.73±18.66)ng/L]和SA组[(1.35±0.49)%、(11.18±10.71)ng/L]均高于对照组[(1.07±0.26)%、(6.46±5.41)ng/L,P均＜0.05],ACS组高于SA组(P均＜0.05);③GMP-140、PAI-1:ACS组[(13.04±0.99)μg/,L、(65.65±14.76)μg/L]和SA组[(12.55±0.74)μg/L、(62.69±12.24)μg/L]均高于对照组[(12.32±0.29)μg/L、(50.78±13.88)μg/L,P均＜0.05],ACS组与SA组间差异无统计学意义(P均＞0.05).④ACS组血尿酸升高者与血尿酸正常者CRP[(71.3±18.9)、(20.70±17.9)mg/L]、vWF[(1.08±0.52)%、(0.84±0.54)%]、GMP-140[(13.57±1.11)、(13.23±1.07)μg/L]、TXB_2[(57.26±47.84)、(26.70±23.83)ng/L]、PAI-1[(72.12±9.23)、(61.30±12.07)μg/L]差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为7.394、0.008、0.227、7.605、0.421,P均＜0.05),SA组血尿酸升高者与血尿酸正常者CRP[(31.1±18.9)、(10.9±10.1)mg/L]、TXB_2[(21.54±3.90)、(5.02±4.93)ng/L]差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为0.494、8.669,P均＜0.05).(2)Logistic逐步回归分析:与急性冠状动脉综合征相关的因素有UA、CRP、PAI-1、PT、TG(OR值分别为1.046、7.615、1.301、0.300和2.243,P均＜0.05).结论 血尿酸升高是影响冠心病发生、发展的重要危险因素.血尿酸升高可能通过损害血管内皮功能、激活血小板、影响凝血和纤溶功能、引发炎症反应参与不同类型冠心病的发生与发展.     

Association between ambient PM2.5 and emergency department visits for psychiatric emergency diseases

BackgroundWhether or not short-term exposure to particulate matter <2.5 μm in diameter (PM_2.5) increases the risk of psychiatric emergency diseases is unclear.MethodsThe study was performed in a metropolis from January 2015 to December 2016. The exposure was PM_2.5, and the confounders were weather (temperature and humidity) and other pollutants (PM₁₀, SO₂, CO, O₃, and NO₂). The outcomes were emergency department (ED) visits with psychiatric disease codes (F00-F99 in ICD10 codes). General additive models were used for the statistical analysis to calculate the adjusted relative risks (ARRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the daily number of ED visits with a lag of 1 to 3 days following a 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5.ResultsDuring the study period, a total of 67,561 ED visits for psychiatric diseases were identified and tested for association with PM_2.5. Daily ED visits for all psychiatric diseases were not associated with PM_2.5 in the model that was not adjusted for other pollutants. The ARR (95% CI) in the model adjusted for SO₂ was 1.011 (1.002–1.021) by 10 μg/m³ of PM_2.5 on Lag 1 for all psychiatric diseases (F00-F99). The ARR (95% CI) in the model adjusted for O₃ was 1.015 (1.003–1.029) by 10 μg/m³ of PM_2.5 on Lag 1 for F40-F49 (Neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders).ConclusionAn increase in PM_2.5 showed a significant association with an increase in ED visits for all psychiatric diseases (F00-F99) and for neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F40-F49) on lag day 1.     

Air pollution and daily emergency department visits for headache in Montreal, Canada

BACKGROUND: Many studies have indicated that weather can trigger headache. Here we propose a new methodological approach to assess the relationship between weather, ambient air pollution, and emergency department (ED) visits for this condition. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between ED visits for headache and selected meteorological and air pollution factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: A hierarchical clusters design was used to study 10,497 ED visits for headache (ICD-9: 784) that occurred at a Montreal hospital between 1997 and 2002. The generalized linear mixed models technique was applied to create Poisson models for the clustered counts of visits for headache. RESULTS: Statistically significant positive associations were observed between the number of ED visits for headache and the atmospheric pressure for all and for female visits for 1-day and 2-day lagged exposures. The percentage increase in daily ED female visits was 4.1% (95% CI: 2.0, 6.2), 3.4% (95% CI: 1.4, 5.6), and 2.2% (95% CI: 1.4, 5.6) for current day, 1-day and 2-day lagged exposure to SO(2), respectively, for an increase of an interquartile range (IQR) of 2.4 ppb. The percentage increase was also statistically significant for current day and 1-day lagged exposure to NO(2) and CO for all and for female visits. CONCLUSIONS: Presented findings provide support for the hypothesis that ED visits for headache are correlated to weather conditions and ambient air pollution - to atmospheric pressure and exposure to SO(2), NO(2), CO, and PM(2.5). An increase in levels of these factors is associated with an increase in the number of ED visits for headache.     

通心络对急性冠状动脉综合征患者血浆C-反应蛋白和内皮素-1的影响

目的 探讨通心络胶囊对急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者血浆C-反应蛋白(CRP)和内皮素-1(ET-1)的影响.方法 将100例ACS患者随机分为常规组和通心络组(常规治疗+通心络胶囊),观察治疗前及第7、14天血浆CRP和ET-1的变化.结果 与治疗前相比,第7、14天通心络组血浆CRP和ET-1水平均显著下降,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05、P＜0.01);而常规组仅第14天有显著变化,与治疗前比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).通心络组CRP和ET-1水平与常规组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 通心络可能通过抑制CRP和ET-1减少血管内膜的炎症反应等途径改善血管内皮功能,从而达到对血管内皮的保护作用.     

山西省太原市颗粒物污染与不稳定性心绞痛患者日入院人数的相关性研究

目的探讨颗粒物污染对不稳定性心绞痛（UA）患者日入院人数的影响。方法收集2013年12月1日至2016年8月31日UA患者日入院人数,以及同期该地区气象监测资料。 在控制了长期趋势、气象因素、节假日及星期几效应等混杂因素的基础上,构建半参数广义相加模型。 分析大气颗粒物（包括PM₁₀和PM_2.5）与UA患者日入院人数的关系。结果滞后1 d时,PM₁₀每增加10 μg/m3,UA患者日入院人数增加1.00%（95% CI:0.60% ~ 1.30%）,PM_2.5每增加10 μg/m3,UA患者日入院人数增加1.50%（95% CI:0.90% ~ 2.00%）。 将颗粒物（PM_2.5和PM₁₀）和臭氧（O₃）（滞后1 d）分别构建双污染物模型,PM₁₀污染物模型在代入了O₃之后结果有统计学意义,相对危险度（RR）升高（P＜0.05）。 对于PM_2.5,在代入了O₃之后结果有统计学意义,RR值升高（P＜0.05）。结论大气颗粒物可引起UA患者日入院数增加。     

The Elder Patient with Suspected Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Emergency Department

Objectives To describe the evaluation and outcomes of elder patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods This was a post hoc analysis of the Internet Tracking Registry for Acute Coronary Syndromes (i^?trACS) registry, which had 17,713 ED visits for suspected ACS. First visits from the United States with nonmissing patient demographics, 12‐lead electrocardiogram results, and clinical history were included in the analysis. Those who used cocaine or amphetamines or left the ED against medical advice were excluded. Elder was defined as age 75 years or older. ACS was defined by 30‐day revascularization, Diagnosis‐related Group codes, or death within 30 days with positive cardiac biomarkers at index hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between being elder and 1) 30‐day all‐cause mortality, 2) ACS, 3) diagnostic tests ordered, and 4) disposition. Multivariable logistic regression was also performed to determine which clinical variables were associated with ACS in elder and nonelder patients. Results A total of 10,126 patients with suspected ACS presenting to the ED were analyzed. For patients presenting to the ED, being elder was independently associated with ACS and all‐cause 30‐day mortality, with adjusted odds ratios of 1.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 2.2) and 2.6 (95% CI = 1.6 to 4.3), respectively. Elder patients were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (adjusted odds ratio, 2.2; 95% CI = 1.8 to 2.6), but there were no differences in the rates of cardiac catheterization and noninvasive stress cardiac imaging. Different clinical variables were associated with ACS in elder and nonelder patients. Chest pain as chief complaint, typical chest pain, and previous history of coronary artery disease were significantly associated with ACS in nonelder patients but were not associated with ACS in elder patients. Male gender and left arm pain were associated with ACS in both elder and nonelder patients. Conclusions Elder patients who present to the ED with suspected ACS represent a population at high risk for ACS and 30‐day mortality. Elders are more likely to be admitted to the hospital, but despite an increased risk for adverse events, they have similar odds of receiving a diagnostic test, such as stress cardiac imaging or cardiac catheterization, compared with nonelder patients. Different clinical variables are associated with ACS, and clinical prediction rules utilizing presenting symptoms should consider the effect modification of age.     

Air pollution and daily ED visits for migraine and headache in Edmonton,Canada

Background

A variety of environmental factors have been identified as possible triggers for migraine and other headache syndromes.

Objective

We analyzed associations between air pollution and emergency department (ED) visits for migraine and headache.

Methods

Analysis was based on 56 241 ED visits for migraine and 48 022 ED visits for headache to Edmonton hospitals between 1992 and 2002. A Poisson model of counts hierarchically clustered by day of week, month, and year was applied using generalized linear mixed models. Temperature and relative humidity were included as covariates.

Results

Females accounted for 78.5% of migraine visits and 56.3% of headache visits. An interquartile range (IQR) increase (6.2 μg/m³) in daily average particulate matter of median aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) was associated with increases in visits of 3.3% for migraine (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.6-6.0), lagged 2 days, and 3.4% for headache (95% CI: 0.3-6.6), lagged 0 days, among females in the cold season (October-March). PM_2.5 was also associated with cold season migraine visits among females at lag 0 and 1 day (P < .1). In the warm period (April-September), a 2.3-ppb IQR increase in sulfur dioxide was associated with a 2.5% increase in migraine visits (95% CI: 0.3-4.6) among females, whereas a 12.8-ppb IQR increment in nitrogen dioxide was associated with a 6.8% increase in headache visits (95% CI: 1.5-12.5) for males.

Conclusions

Findings provide preliminary evidence of an association between air pollution and ED visits for migraine and nonspecific headache. Findings were most consistent for particulate matter.     

Atrial fibrillation hospitalization is not increased with short-term elevations in exposure to fine particulate air pollution

Background: Previous studies have observed that short‐term exposure to elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) air pollution increases risk of acute ischemic heart disease events and heart failure hospitalization, alters cardiac autonomic function, and increases risk of arrhythmias. This study explored the potential associations between short‐term elevations in PM exposure and atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods and Results: A case‐crossover study design was used to explore associations between fine PM (PM2.5, particles with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) and 10,457 AF hospitalizations from 1993 to 2008 of patients who lived on Utah's Wasatch Front. Patients were hospitalized at Intermountain Healthcare facilities with a primary diagnosis of AF. Concurrent day exposure and cumulative lagged exposures for up to 21 days were explored and the data were stratified by sex, age, and previous or subsequent admission for myocardial infarction. Although the estimated associations between PM2.5 and AF hospitalizations for the various lag structures and strata were consistently positive suggestive of risk, they were not statistically significant and they were extremely small compared to previously observed associations with ischemic heart disease events and heart failure hospitalizations. Further, we observed no additive risk between PM2.5 and AF hospitalization in those with respiratory disease or sleep apnea. Conclusions: Unlike previously observed associations with ischemic heart disease events and heart failure hospitalizations using similar study design and approaches, this study found that hospitalization for AF was not significantly associated with elevations in short‐term exposure to fine PM air pollution. (PACE 2011; 34:1475–1479)