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Percutaneous coronary intervention leads to microplastics entering the blood: Interventional devices are a major
Sheng Liu1, Yunxiao Yang1, Zhiyong Du2
1Center for Coronary Heart Disease, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) is an emerging pollutant potentially harmful to health. Medical practices using plastic devices, such as percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), may result in MPs entering into the blood. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of PCI on microplastic levels in patients' blood. Laser direct infrared (LDIR) was used to detect MPs in the blood of 23 patients before and after PCI. MPs in the water in which devices used in PCI were washed were also examined. The concentration of MPs in the blood was significantly elevated (93.57 ± 35.95 vs. 4.96 ± 3.40 particles/10 mL of blood, P < 0.001) after PCI compared to before, and the increased MPs were polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which was consistent with the types of MPs detected in the device washing water. The maximum diameter of MPs in blood before PCI was 50 µm, whereas after PCI it was 213 µm, and even 336 µm in device washing water. These findings indicated that PCI will cause MPs to enter the blood, and devices used during PCI were a major source, a range of medical practices that use plastic devices may be a new route for MPs to enter the human body.
Insights
Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) significantly increase microplastic (MP) levels in blood. MPs found in blood post-PCI originate from medical devices, suggesting a new human exposure route.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Medical Devices
- Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants with potential health risks.
- Medical procedures utilizing plastic devices, like percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), may introduce MPs into the bloodstream.
- Quantifying MP levels associated with medical interventions is crucial for understanding human exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the impact of PCI on microplastic concentrations in patient blood.
- To identify the types and sizes of microplastics introduced into the blood during PCI.
- To determine if medical devices used in PCI are a source of blood microplastics.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 23 patients were analyzed before and after PCI using Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy.
- Microplastic contamination in the water used to wash PCI devices was also assessed.
- Particle concentration and size distribution were measured for detected microplastics.
Main Results:
- Blood microplastic concentrations significantly increased post-PCI (93.57 ± 35.95 particles/10 mL) compared to pre-PCI levels (4.96 ± 3.40 particles/10 mL).
- Elevated microplastics included polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), matching those found in device washing water.
- The maximum diameter of microplastics in blood increased from 50 µm pre-PCI to 213 µm post-PCI, with even larger particles (336 µm) found in device water.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous coronary interventions demonstrably introduce microplastics into the bloodstream.
- Medical devices employed during PCI are a primary source of this microplastic contamination.
- Various medical practices involving plastic devices represent a potential novel pathway for human microplastic exposure.
