This study evaluated cardiac arrhythmias in patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators in association with various measures of community air pollution.

Breathing increased ambient ozone concentrations during the previous hour was associated with increased risk of episodes of a particular type of cardiac arrythmia, suggesting that community air pollution may be a precipitant of these events. Associations with PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and black carbon were positive, but not statistically significant. These episodes, known as atrial fibrillation, are not generally considered lethal, but are tied to an increased risk of premature death, People with this condition have a 5-fold increased risk of stroke if their episodes are not controlled by medication.

Rich DQ, Mittleman MA, Link MS, Schwartz J, Luttmann-Gibson H, Catalano PJ, Speizer FE, Gold DR, and Dockery DW. Increased Risk of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Episodes Associated with Acute Increases in Ambient Air Pollution. Environ Health Perspec 2006; 114:120-123.

For a copy of the article click here.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 29th, 2006 at 6:56 pm and is filed under 2006.