Air pollution exposure and heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

While the literature strongly supports a positive association between particulate matter with diameter <= 2.5 mu m (PM2.5) exposure and heart failure (HF), there is uncertainty regarding the other pollutants and the dose and duration of exposure that triggers an adverse response. To comprehensively assess and quantify the association of air pollution exposure with HF incidence and mortality, we performed separate meta-analyses according to pollutant types [PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O3)], and exposure duration (short -and long-term). We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for relevant articles with publica-tion dates up to July 12, 2022, identifying 35 eligible studies. Random-effects models were used to summarize the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs). For long-term exposure, the growing risk of HF was significantly associated with each 10 mu g/m3 increase in PM2. 5 (OR = 1.196, 95 % CI: 1.079-1.326; I2 = 76.8 %), PM10 (1.190, 1.045-1.356; I2 = 76.2 %), and NO2 (1.072, 1.028-1.118; I2 = 78.3 %). For short-term expo-sure, PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3 (per 10 mu g/m3 increment) increased the risk of HF, with estimated ORs of 1.019 (1.008-1.03 0; I2 = 39.9 %), 1.012 (1.007-1.017; I2 = 28.3 %), 1.016 (1.005-1.026; I2 = 53.7 %), and 1.006 (1.002-1.010; I2 = 0.0 %), respectively. No significant effects of SO2 and CO exposure on the risk of HF were observed.