Short-term effects of the smoke-free legislation on haemostasis and systemic inflammation due to second hand smoke exposure. The AERER study

Thromb Haemost. 2011 Jun;105(6):1024-31. doi: 10.1160/TH11-02-0062. Epub 2011 Apr 20.

Abstract

It was the objective of this study to assess the effect of the implementation of the smoke-free legislation on haemostasis and systemic inflammation in second-hand smoking (SHS)-exposed healthy volunteers. Fibrin-rich clot properties, platelet reactivity and inflammatory biomarkers were measured before and four months following the implementation of the smoke-free legislation in gender and age-matched healthy volunteers exposed (n=23, exposed) and unexposed (n=23, controls) to occupational SHS. The primary objective was to compare fibrin-rich clot stiffness before and after implementation of the smoke-free legislation. There was 40% reduction in fibrin-rich clot stiffness following the implementation of the smoke-free legislation in SHS-exposed volunteers (17 ± 7 vs. 10.6 ± 7 dynes/cm², before and after, respectively, p=0.001). These dramatic changes were associated with a 20% reduction in fibrin fiber density (p<0.01) and a 20% reduction in clot lysis time (p=0.05). No change in fibrin properties was observed in the control group of SHS-unexposed volunteers related to the implementation of the smoke-free legislation. Of interest, neither platelet reactivity nor systemic inflammatory biomarkers were changed in either group. The smoke-free legislation is associated with significant changes in fibrin-rich clot properties toward a less thrombogenic conformation with a better fibrinolysis response while neither platelet reactivity nor systemic inflammatory biomarkers are modified. These improvements may explain the observed reduction in acute coronary syndrome following the implementation of the smoke-free legislation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / blood
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / immunology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Clot Retraction
  • Fibrinolysis
  • France
  • Hemostasis
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Inflammation
  • Legislation as Topic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Occupational Exposure / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Platelet Activation
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / adverse effects
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / legislation & jurisprudence*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution