Conclusions
This study found no clear evidence for pollution effects on STEMIs and stroke, which ultimately represent thrombogenic processes, though it did for pulmonary embolism. The strongest associations with air pollution were observed with selected non-MI outcomes. Experimental studies with tightly controlled pollution mixes, in addition to large-scale observational studies such as this, are needed to help elucidate mechanistic pathways further. Elderly people and hospital patients with chronic IHD or arrhythmias are observed to be at particular risk, which could help inform intervention strategies.