Association Between Air Pollutants and Ventricular Arrhythmias: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

Background Recent studies have investigated the association between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) with inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to elucidate the relationship. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Pooled effects were estimated using random‐effects models and expressed as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results This meta‐analysis included 22 studies with 784,960 participants, including 15 involving the general population and 7 involving patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). In the general population, short‐term exposure to particulate matter of diameter < 2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ) (OR: 1.02 and 95% CI: 1.01–1.03) was significantly associated with an increased risk of VAs, whereas no significant associations were observed for long‐term exposure to PM 2.5 (OR: 1.28 and 95% CI: 0.93–1.77) or particulate matter of diameter < 10 µm (PM 10 ) (OR: 1.03 and 95% CI: 0.99–1.07). Additionally, no significant associations were found for short‐term exposure to PM 10 (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.68–1.49) or NO 2 (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.32–1.70) with the risk of VAs. Among ICD patients, no significant associations were found between short‐term exposure to any pollutant and VAs, including PM 2.5 (OR: 1.07 and 95% CI: 0.96–1.18), PM 10 (OR: 1.02 and 95% CI: 0.98–1.07), NO 2 (OR: 1.04 and 95% CI: 0.97–1.12), O 3 (OR: 1.01 and 95% CI: 0.99–1.03), SO 2 (OR: 1.19 and 95% CI: 0.92–1.53), or CO (OR: 1.02 and 95% CI: 0.99–1.05). Conclusion Our meta‐analysis indicates that short‐term exposure to PM 2.5 is associated with an increased risk of VAs in the general population. No significant associations were observed for short‐term exposure to any pollutant among ICD patients.