Author/Authors :
Saifipour, Amir Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Azhari, Amirhossein Heart Failure Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Pourmoghaddas, Ali Hypertension Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Hosseini, Mohsen Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Jafari-Koshki, Tohid Department of Statistics and Epidemiology - School of Health - Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran , Rahimi, Mojtaba Department of Anesthesiology - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Nasri, Ali Interventional Cardiology Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Shishehforoush, Mansour Isfahan Governor’s Office, Isfahan, Iran , Lahijanzadeh, Ahmadreza Khuzestan Department of Environment, Ahvaz, Iran , Sadeghian, Babak Central Laboratory and Air Pollution Monitoring - Isfahan Province Environmental Monitoring Center - Isfahan Department of Environment, Isfahan, Iran , Moazam, Elham Cancer Prevention Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Mohebi, Mohammad Bagher Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Ezatian, Victoria Isfahan Meteorological Office, Isfahan, Iran , Rabiei, Katayoun Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran , Sarrafzadegan, Nizal Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center - Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown the worst effects of air pollution on cardiovascular
diseases (CVDs). Present study focused on the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF), as one of
the common arrhythmias, and air pollutants in Isfahan, Iran, an industrial city in the Middle East.
METHODS: A case-crossover design was used to explore the associations between air pollution
and AF hospitalized patients with ventricular response (VR) > 90 beats per minute (bpm)
(fast response) and those with VR ≤ 90 bpm. All patients' records were extracted from their
hospital files. Air pollutants data including particulate matter less than 10 μ (PM10), PM2.5,
carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) were
obtained from the Correlation of Air Pollution with Hospitalization and Mortality of
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases (CAPACITY) study. Conditional logistic regression test
was used to measure the relationship between pollutants and hospitalization due to AF.
RESULTS: Records of 369 patients, including 173 men (46.9%) who were hospitalized for AF during
the study period and had complete data were extracted. Although a positive but not statistically
significant relationship was shown between 10-unit increases in all pollutants (except PM10) and the
hospitalization due to AF in patients with rapid VR (RVR), the only significant relationship was
observed in case of NO2 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0-2.1, P = 0.031].
CONCLUSION: This study showed positive significant relationships between NO2 and the
hospitalization due to AF in patients with RVR. NO2 is a greenhouse gas whose levels are
expected to increase due to global environmental changes. Therefore, relevant strategies should
be adopted to decrease its levels, especially in industrial cities like Isfahan.
