[Air pollution and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Pathophysiologic basis and groups at risk].

The pathophysiologic basis of the harmful action of air pollutants rests principally on their proinflammatory and prothrombotic effects. The principal pollutants currently identified as responsible for these effects are fine suspended particles (PM2.5) and ozone. Inflammatory effects, initially localized in the lungs, then become systemic. Analysis of groups at the highest risk of atherothrombotic events suggests the elderly may be most sensitive to the effects of air pollution.