Exposure to particulate air pollution is associated with increases in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this observation are emerging, and exposure to particulate air pollution has been shown to result in increases in blood pressure and arterial tone, impaired vascular function and an increased tendency for blood to clot as well as an increase in atherosclerotic plaque burden. Recent evidence from panel studies and controlled exposure studies have suggested an increase in myocardial ischaemia (a reduction in blood flow to the heart) following exposure. In this study we aim to investigate directly myocardial (heart) blood flow following exposure to diesel exhaust (as a model of urban air pollution) using CT/PET myocardial perfusion imaging in male patients with stable coronary disease and healthy male controls. We hypothesize that following exposure to dilute diesel exhaust: 1. Myocardial blood flow will be reduced 2. Coronary flow reserve will be impaired 3. The magnitude of impairment will be higher in patients with coronary disease as compared to healthy controls
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
28
University of Edinburgh / NHS Lothian
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve measured by CT/PET O-15 imaging
Myocardial blood flow will be measured at rest and at peak adenosine stress using CT/PET O-15 myocardial perfusion imaging immediately following exposure to diesel exhaust and filtered air
Time frame: Immediately following exposure
Coronary flow reserve determined using doppler echocardiography
Coronary blood flow will be determined in the left anterior descending coronary artery using doppler echocardiography at rest and at peak adenosine stress 1 hour following exposure to diesel exhaust and filtered air
Time frame: 1 hour following exposure
Ultra-sensitive cardiac troponin-I
Blood samples will be obtained for measurement of cardiac troponin-I
Time frame: Before, 2 and 24 hours following exposure
ST segment deviation on continuous 12-lead electrocardiography
A 12-lead electrocardiogram will be continuously recorded using Holter ECG monitor
Time frame: During and for the 24 hours aftet exposure
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