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

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.