Recent studies have identified the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in the arterial plaque of stroke patients. These findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery Scientific Sessions in April 2025.
Study Overview
Dr. Ross Clark, a vascular surgeon and assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, led a study analyzing carotid artery tissue samples from 48 individuals. The participants were categorized into three groups:
• 35 deceased tissue donors with no arterial plaque
• 6 patients with significant plaque buildup but no symptoms
• 7 patients with plaque buildup who had experienced symptoms such as stroke, mini-stroke, or temporary vision loss
The analysis revealed that:
• Plaque from asymptomatic patients contained an average of 895 micrograms of microplastics per gram of tissue, compared to 57 micrograms per gram in healthy arteries.
• Plaque from symptomatic patients contained an average of 2,888 micrograms of microplastics per gram of tissue.
These results indicate that symptomatic patients had approximately 51 times more microplastics in their arterial plaque compared to individuals with healthy arteries.
Additional Findings
The study also observed differences in gene activity within the plaque. Specifically, immune cells in high-plastic plaques exhibited altered gene expression related to inflammation regulation. However, the study did not establish a direct causal relationship between microplastic presence and these genetic changes.
Methodology
To detect and quantify microplastics, researchers employed pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This technique involves heating samples to break down plastics into identifiable compounds. The researchers took measures to differentiate plastic-derived compounds from those originating from lipids and other biological materials.
Limitations and Future Research
The study acknowledges limitations, including a small sample size and the inability to determine causation. Further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms by which microplastics may influence vascular health and to explore potential preventive measures.
