Exploring the Relationship between Acute Coronary Syndrome, Lower Respiratory Tract Infections, and Atmospheric Pollution

Abstract

Background: Respiratory infections were found to be connected with the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The proposed pathway of this connection includes inflammation, oxidative stress, pro-coagulation, and atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. This can cause rapture and thrombus formation, leading to ACS. Our study aimed to assess the risk factors for coronary artery thrombosis as a manifestation of ACS and for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in patients with ACS. Methods: The study included 876 patients with ACS from January 2014 to December 2018. Both the clinical data and air pollution data were analyzed. Statistical tests used for analysis included Student’s t-test, the Mann–Whitney U-test, the Chi-squared test, and the odds ratio Altman calculation. Results: LRTIs were found in 9.13% patients with ACS. The patients with LRTI had a higher risk of coronary artery thrombosis (OR: 2.4903; CI: 1.3483 to 4.5996). Moreover, they had increased values of inflammatory markers, were older, had a lower BMI, and a higher rate of atrial fibrillation. The average atmospheric aerosols with a maximum diameter of 2.5 μm (PM2.5 concentration) from three consecutive days before hospitalization for ACS were higher in patients with LRTI. Conclusions: The occurrence of coronary artery thrombosis was higher among the patients with LRTI during ACS. PM2.5 exposition was higher in the three consecutive days before hospitalization in patients with LRTI during ACS.