We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Echography Studies Examine How Air Pollution Impairs Lung Function

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 21 Dec 2016
Print article
Image: A transthoracic echocardiogram being performed in a patient (Photo courtesy of Specialist Cardiology).
Image: A transthoracic echocardiogram being performed in a patient (Photo courtesy of Specialist Cardiology).
Two transthoracic echocardiography studies including more than 16,000 individuals in Brussels, Belgium have shown the effect of air pollution on the hemodynamic functioning of the lungs.

The studies were carried out between 2009 and 2013, and were presented at the EuroEcho-Imaging 2016 conference in Leizig, Germany. One study examined whether echocardiography parameters used to determine pulmonary circulation, and right ventricular function were affected by common levels of outdoor air pollution. In the second study, ten healthy male volunteers were exposed to either ambient air or to dilute diesel exhaust pollutants. Pulmonary vascular resistance was assessed using echocardiography at rest, as well as during a cardiac stress test.

The results showed a reduced pulmonary acceleration time as well as increased pulmonary acceleration slope from pollutants, on the same day, over five days, and ten days exposure. There was also a deterioration of right ventricle function.

Lead author of the study, Dr Jean-Francois Argacha, cardiologist at the University Hospital (UZ; Brussels, Belgium), said, "This is the first human study to report an influence of air pollution on pulmonary vascular function. This is a major public health issue for people living in polluted urban areas where exercise could damage the lungs and potentially lead to decompensated heart failure. Such studies are important because if air pollution causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the lungs (vasoconstriction), this combined with the systemic effects of pollution could cause decompensated heart failure. Air pollution was associated with increased pulmonary vascular tone, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow to the lungs. Longer exposure to air pollution exposure seems necessary to impair right ventricular systolic function. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea were at greater risk. This suggests that pollution is more harmful to the lung circulation during exercise. Our main advice is to limit physical activities during heavy air pollution."

Related Links:
University Hospital

Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
New
Thyroid Shield
Standard Thyroid Shield
New
Ultrasound Table
Powered Ultrasound Table-Flat Top
New
Ultrasound Doppler System
Doppler BT-200

Print article

Channels

Radiography

view channel
:	Image: The AI model could be a valuable adjunct to human radiologists in breast cancer diagnoses and risk prediction (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Model Predicts 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk from Mammograms

Approximately 13% of U.S. women, or one in every eight, are predicted to develop invasive breast cancer over their lifetime, with 1 in 39 women (3%) succumbing to the illness, according to the American... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: The AI system uses scintigraphy imaging for early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI System Automatically and Reliably Detects Cardiac Amyloidosis Using Scintigraphy Imaging

Cardiac amyloidosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein deposits (amyloids) in the heart muscle, severely affects heart function and can lead to heart failure or death without... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: The Cinematic Reality app enables interaction with realistic renderings of human anatomy (Photo courtesy of Siemens)

AR Application Turns Medical Scans Into Holograms for Assistance in Surgical Planning

Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) has launched an app designed for Apple Vision Pro that allows users including surgeons, medical students, or patients to view immersive, interactive holograms of... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more

Industry News

view channel
Image: Samsung Medison CEO Mr. Yongkwan Kim and Bracco Imaging CEO Dr. Fulvio Renoldi Bracco endorsed a MoU agreement (Photo courtesy of Bracco Group)

Samsung and Bracco Enter Into New Diagnostic Ultrasound Technology Agreement

Samsung Medison (Seoul, South Korea) and Bracco Imaging (Milan, Italy) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement to pioneer a new area for diagnostic ultrasound devices and contrast agents.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.