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Current Cardiology Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-403X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6557

Review Article

The Influence of Environmental Air Pollution on Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Scoping Review

Author(s): Susil Pallikadavath*, Zakariyya Vali*, Roshan Patel, Akash Mavilakandy, Nicholas Peckham, Matt Clegg, Alastair J. Sandilands and G. André Ng

Volume 18, Issue 6, 2022

Published on: 30 June, 2022

Article ID: e160422203685 Pages: 14

DOI: 10.2174/1573403X18666220416203716

Price: $65

Abstract

Introduction: Exposure to air pollution is a recognised risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has been associated with supraventricular arrhythmias. The effect of air pollution on ventricular arrhythmias is less clear. This scoping review assessed the effects of particulate and gaseous air pollutants on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for studies assessing the effects of air pollutants on ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. These pollutants were particulate matter (PM) 2.5, PM10, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), and Ozone (O3).

Results: This review identified 27 studies: nine in individuals with implantable cardioverter defibrillators, five in those with ischaemic heart disease, and 13 in the general population. Those with ischaemic heart disease appear to have the strongest association with ventricular arrhythmias in both gaseous and particulate pollution, with all three studies assessing the effects of PM2.5 demonstrating some association with ventricular arrythmia. Results in the general and ICD population were less consistent.

Conclusion: Individuals with ischaemic heart disease may be at an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias following exposure to air pollution.

Keywords: Air pollution, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, arrhythmia, supraventricular arrhythmias, cardiovascular disease.

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