Independent and combined interaction of fine particulate matter in atmospheric air and the frequency of acute myocardial infarction hospitalizations in Varna, Bulgaria

Abstract

Aim: To explore the relationship between atmospheric particulate matter concentrations and the frequency of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalizations. Materials and methods: The relationship between air quality and the frequency of AMI admissions at the Intensive Cardiologic Clinic of St. Marina University Hospital, Varna was determined in the period between October 2004 and December 2005. The samples were taken at four points of the Regional Inspectorate of Protection and Control of Public Health, Varna. Pollutants such as general and fine particulate matter with particle diameters up to 10 μg/m3 (FPM10), ozone, nitrogen oxide, dioxide and total general nitrogen oxides, and mean 24-hour values of meteorological parameters were monitored. Results: The independent influence of FPM10 on frequency of AMI hospitalizations is described using a linear regression model. In all combined methods, the standardized Beta coefficients are higher than that of isolated FPM action. In combination with the meteorological parameters model, the influence of FPM is increased, and air movement velocity is a protector. The combination of FPMs with the other pollutants-ozone, non-methane hydrocarbons, nitrogen dioxide, total hydrocarbons and carbon oxide is connected with the highest risk for AMI. © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.