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Detection of Various Microplastics in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery
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In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers found microplastics inside the human heart and surrounding tissues of 15 cardiac surgery patients, identifying nine different plastic types with particles up to 469 micrometers across. Some plastics were found deep within heart tissue in ways that could not be explained by surgical contamination, providing direct evidence that microplastics can reach even fully enclosed internal organs.
Microplastics have been detected in human stool, lungs, and placentas, which have direct exposure to the external environment through various body cavities, including the oral/anal cavity and uterine/vaginal cavity. Crucial data on microplastic exposure in completely enclosed human organs are still lacking. Herein, we used a laser direct infrared chemical imaging system and scanning electron microscopy to investigate whether microplastics exist in the human heart and its surrounding tissues. Microplastic specimens were collected from 15 cardiac surgery patients, including 6 pericardia, 6 epicardial adipose tissues, 11 pericardial adipose tissues, 3 myocardia, 5 left atrial appendages, and 7 pairs of pre- and postoperative venous blood samples. Microplastics were not universally present in all tissue samples, but nine types were found across five types of tissue with the largest measuring 469 μm in diameter. Nine types of microplastics were also detected in pre- and postoperative blood samples with a maximum diameter of 184 μm, and the type and diameter distribution of microplastics in the blood showed alterations following the surgical procedure. Moreover, the presence of poly(methyl methacrylate) in the left atrial appendage, epicardial adipose tissue, and pericardial adipose tissue cannot be attributed to accidental exposure during surgery, providing direct evidence of microplastics in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Further research is needed to examine the impact of surgery on microplastic introduction and the potential effects of microplastics in internal organs on human health.
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Researchers detected microplastics and nanoplastics in the heart tissue and blood of 27 pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery, with polyethylene found in 100 percent of myocardial samples. Newborns had the highest concentrations of plastic particles in their heart tissue, and matching plastic types were found in mothers' placentas and umbilical cord blood, suggesting prenatal transfer. The study provides the first evidence that micro- and nanoplastics are present in children's cardiac tissue, raising concerns about early-life exposure.
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In a study of 20 patients undergoing surgery for clogged neck arteries, researchers found microplastics in both blood and artery plaque samples from every patient. The plaques contained nearly six times more microplastics than blood, suggesting that plastics accumulate in damaged blood vessels. Some types of microplastics were linked to changes in cholesterol levels, raising questions about whether plastic particles could worsen heart disease.
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Researchers examined tissue samples from patients who had colon surgery and detected microplastics in the specimens. The findings suggest that microplastics are commonly present in the human colon, adding to a growing body of evidence that these particles accumulate in the human digestive system.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.