Short term exposure to particular matter is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Effects of the short-term exposure to ambient air pollution on atrial fibrillation.
Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2018 Sep 17. Epub 2018 Sep 17. PMID: 30225893
Xiaole Liu
BACKGROUND: atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important arrhythmia associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study is focused on exploring the potential relationship between short-term air pollution exposure and occurrence of AF.
METHODS: a case-crossover design was used to investigate the effect of pollutants on AF occurrence among 100 patients from 2013 to 2014. The air pollutants included ambient particulate matter less than 2.5μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM), particulate matter less than 10μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), sulfur dioxide (SO), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O). Participants with CIED (Cardiac implantable electronic devices) implanted were followed-up to December 31, 2014.
RESULTS: a 10μg/mincrease of PMand PMwas associated with 3.8% (95%CI: 1.4 to 6.2) and 2.7% (95%CI: 0.6 to 4.8) increase in the risk of AF occurrence respectively. No statistically significant association was noted with SO, NO, CO and O.
CONCLUSIONS: short term exposure to particular matter, both PMand PM, is associated with an increased risk of AF. This further demonstrates the urgency for air quality monitoring and control in geographical area with intense pollution. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.