Air Pollution – ABC CARDIOL

ABC

Editorial

Genetic Evidence Supports a Causal Role for Smoking in Cardiac Arrest

José S. L. Patané et al. Fernando R. Giugni

[…]

Read Full Article

ABC

Original Article

A Two-sample Mendelian Randomization Study of Air Pollution/Smoking and Cardiac Arrest

Xuelin Tian et al. Yu Wang Qingzhao Tan Liying Liu

Abstract

Background

Observational studies have suggested a connection between air pollution/smoking and cardiac arrest (CA); nevertheless, the causal role of air pollution/smoking in CA remains uncertain.

Objectives

This study aimed to elucidate the causal association between air pollution/smoking and CA using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Methods

This study utilized summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The primary analysis employed the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods. For sensitivity analysis, MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO were employed to address horizontal pleiotropy. Cochran’s Q test was used to assess heterogeneity, and leave-one-out analysis was applied to identify the influence of outliers. A two-sided p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for the causal estimates.

Results

IVW method showed a significant association between smoking status and CA (OR = 2.182, 95% CI: 1.137 – 4.188, p = 0.019). No significant causal associations were found for any of the air pollution metrics or other smoking-related traits. Results of MR Egger and weighted median methods revealed an insignificant causal association between air pollution/smoking and CA. Horizontal pleiotropy or outliers were not detected by sensitivity tests.

Conclusions

Findings of this MR study indicate that smoking has a causal effect on the incidence of developing CA. However, the null findings for air pollution should be interpreted with caution, as the statistical power to detect modest effects was limited. More studies are warranted to verify the outcomes of this study.

Read Full Article

ABC

Editorial

Fine Particulate Pollution is a Powerful Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

Desiderio Favarato

In this issue, Moura PH et al found that the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan area, RJ, BR presents out-of-limit high levels of air pollution and there was a direct correlation between air pollution with PM_2.5 (Particulate Matter of 2.5 μm) and higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, especially in lower socioeconomic status and in the elderly.

Since the Framingham Study had enumerated the so-called traditional risk factors – hypertension, high LDL-cholesterol, low HDL-cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and male sex – a growing number of risk factors have been continuously added to that list.

[…]

Read Full Article

ABC

Original Article

Impact of PM2.5 Air Pollution on Mortality from Circulatory System Diseases in the Neighborhoods of the City of Rio de Janeiro (2000-2019)

Paulo Henrique de Moura et al. Leandro Dias Gomes de Carvalho Paulo Henrique Godoy Lucia Helena Alvares Salis … Marina Silva Paez Mariane Branco Alves Luiz Francisco Pires Guimarães Maia Renata Libonati dos Santos Nelson Albuquerque de Souza e Silva

Abstract

Background

Air pollution by fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) is the main environmental risk factor associated with diseases of the circulatory system (DCS), ischemic heart disease (IHD), and cerebrovascular diseases (CBVD).

Objective

To estimate mortality rates from DCS, IHD, and CBVD (2000-2019) among residents of the 164 neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro, according to PM_2.5 levels.

Methods

This retrospective ecological study used georeferenced satellite data classified into three PM_2.5 levels and mortality records from the Department of Information and Informatics of the Unified Health System for DCS, IHD, and CBVD among individuals of both sexes aged ≥ 20 years from 2000 to 2019. Age-adjusted mortality rates per 1,000 inhabitants were calculated, and comparative statistical analyses were performed by sex, PM_2.5 level, and age group (5% significance).

Results

Approximately 91% of the 4.7 million residents (≥ 20 years) live in areas with high or extreme PM_2.5 pollution. Deaths occurred up to 3.4 years earlier among men living in highly polluted areas compared with those in moderately polluted areas. The highest DCS mortality rates were observed in neighborhoods with high and extreme pollution (female = 3.9 ± 1.7; 95% CI = 3.5-4.2; male = 4.6 ± 2.1; 95% CI = 4.1-4.9), particularly in individuals aged ≥ 70 years. Significant associations were found between mortality rates and pollution levels for DCS (p = 0.019), IHD (p = 0.025), and CBVD (p = 0.002) in the 50-69-year age group when comparing moderately and extremely polluted areas. Intermediate/high social vulnerability was identified in 71% of neighborhoods, with an increasing socioenvironmental gradient linking higher vulnerability to higher PM_2.5 concentrations (R = 0.354; p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Mean PM_2.5 concentrations in the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro exceeded the World Health Organization’s recommended standard by a factor of four. Mortality from DCS is significantly higher and occurs earlier in areas with high or extreme levels of pollution.

Read Full Article

ABC

Research Letter

Excess Systolic Blood Pressure Associated with Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution above the WHO Guidelines in Brazil

Pedro Rafael Vieira de Oliveira Salerno et al. Issam Motairek Luis Augusto Palma Dallan Brendan Bourges-Sevenier … Sanjay Rajagopalan Sadeer G. Al-Kindi

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and hypertension has been implicated as having the highest association of causation among all of the cardiovascular disease risk factors. Thus, unsurprisingly, hypertension is the main risk factor for death and the second major cause of disability-adjusted life years in Brazil, heavily impacting its population and national healthcare system. It is also directly linked to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter < 2.5 microns (PM _2.5 ), which has been identified as an independent risk factor for increased systolic blood pressure (SBP). In Brazil, as in most countries, the main source of exposure to air pollution in urban areas primarily results from the burning of fossil fuels via vehicular traffic and industrial power generation, while, in rural Brazil, air pollution mainly results from the burning of biomass as well as deforestation.

In Brazil, previous studies have been conducted investigating the effects of PM _2.5 exposure on blood pressure in outdoor workers who are most susceptible to ambient air pollution from vehicular emissions, such as traffic controllers, demonstrating the link between PM _2.5 concentration and increased SBP. ^, However, these studies tend to focus on metropolitan and urban regions. ^, Thus, due to Brazil’s large geographical size and regional diversity, there exists a substantial gap in knowledge in the less populated areas. In this study, we aimed to estimate the excess SBP attributable to PM _2.5 concentrations above the threshold of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in Brazil, as well as in all its states and regions.

[…]

Read Full Article

IJCS

Original Article

Impact of Air Pollutant on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Young Adults

Anita de Cássia Melinski et al. Aparecida Maria Catai Sílvia Cristina Garcia de Moura Juliana Cristina Milan-Mattos Monica Yuri Takito

Abstract

Background:

Air pollution and sex independently affect cardiac autonomic control, which can be assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). The research hypothesis is that individuals exposed to low concentrations of pollution have higher cardiac autonomic modulation compared to those exposed to high concentrations and that women have better cardiac autonomic control than men.

Objective:

To analyze the impact of exposure to air pollutants, specifically smoke, and sex on HRV in healthy young people exposed to different concentrations of pollution over an average period of 22 years.

Methods:

From April to September 2011, 36 participants of both sexes (20-30 years old) were selected, grouped by levels of air pollution exposure according to indices provided by the Environmental Company of São Paulo State. The R-R intervals (R-Ri) of the electrocardiogram were captured using a heart rate monitor during supine rest. HRV was analyzed by spectral analysis and conditional entropy. The Queen’s College step test was used to characterize functional capacity. A between-group comparison was performed using the two-way ANOVA statistical test (post hoc Tukey) and p<0.05.

Results:

Significant differences were found in mean R-Ri (p<0.01) and cardiac parasympathetic modulation between sexes in the same city (p=0.02) and between groups exposed to different air pollution concentrations (p<0.01).

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that long-term exposure to air pollutants, specifically smoke, has an unfavorable impact on HRV, with reduced cardiac vagal autonomic modulation in healthy young adults, especially females.

Read Full Article

IJCS

Editorial

Environmental Pollution and Cardiovascular Diseases: Identify and Prevent!

Claudio Tinoco Mesquita

Exposure to environmental pollution is a key factor in the development and worsening of cardiovascular diseases. This alert was issued in a 2004 statement from the American Heart Association (AHA). A large body of new scientific evidence has been accumulated since then, allowing for a better understanding of the aspects related to this modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

[…]

Read Full Article