“Microplastics and nanoplastics are emerging as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease in preclinical studies.”
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“We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study involving patients who were undergoing carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery disease. The excised carotid plaque specimens were analyzed for the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics….”
“The primary end point was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause among patients who had evidence of microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque as compared with patients with plaque that showed no evidence of microplastics and nanoplastics.”
“A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study, and 257 completed a follow-up of 33.7±6.9 months.”
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“Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%)…..”
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“31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride…..”
“Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris. Radiographic examination showed that some of these particles included chlorine.”
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“In this study, patients with carotid artery plaque in which microplastics and nanoplastics were detected had a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom microplastics and nanoplastics were not detected.
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R.Marfella, et al
Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events
New England Journal Of Medicine — Volume 390 #10 — March 7, 2024 — page 900