Triggering of ST-elevation myocardial infarction by ambient wood smoke and other particulate and gaseous pollutants

We previously observed increased odds of ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) associated with increased ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in the previous hour. However, data are lacking on the effects of specific PM sources. Using data from 362 patients, a case-crossover design, and conditional logistic regression, we estimated the relative odds of STEMI associated with increased Delta-C (wood smoke), black carbon (BC; traffic), PM_2.5, and gaseous pollutants in the previous 1-72 h. We did not observe increased odds of STEMIs associated with increased Delta-C or BC. We did observe increased odds associated with each 7.1 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 (OR (95% CI): 1.17 (0.99, 1.39)) and each 19.9 p.p.b. increase in ozone (O₃; 1.27 (1.00, 1.63)) in the previous hour, and each 0.22 p.p.m. increase in 48-h carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations (1.32 (1.00, 1.73]). Larger relative odds were associated with PM_2.5 in May-October, and O₃ and CO in November-April. Increased PM_2.5, O₃, and CO, but not wood smoke or BC, were associated with increased odds of STEMI, and effects may differ by season. Studies using spatially adjusted pollution estimates are needed, as well as studies further examining O₃ and CO effects on the risk of STEMI.