Association between exposure to air pollution and incidence of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Introduction and objective: Air pollution is the largest environmental health risk, estimated to cause over 5 million premature deaths per year worldwide, including half million deaths in Europe. It is associated with significant reductions in healthy life years and worker productivity. It may also be an important endocrine disrupter, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes mellitus and due to acute ischaemic/thrombotic cardiovascular events. Aim of the study was to present the current knowledge on short- and long-term exposure to air pollution, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Review methods: The review article was based on data obtained from articles published in the PubMed or related databases. We searched observational studies.

Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge: Some of the studies demonstrated a triggering effect of exposure to air pollution on acute exacerbation of atrial fibrillation. Evidence for a long-term effect of air pollution exposure on AF episodes is even more scarce or limited.

Summary: Data indicate that human exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. Studies confirmed that further efforts to reduce air pollution exposure should be undertaken to reduce the negative health effects in the general population. To better understand the effect of air pollution on incidence of AF and the related public health impact in the most polluted regions of the world, more high-quality studies are needed.

Keywords: air polltion; atrial fibrillation; long-term exposure; particulate matter; short-term exposure.