Suspected association of ventricular arrhythmia with air pollution in a motorbike rider: a case report

Kent Emilsson

Department of Clinical Physiology, Örebro University Hospital, SE-701 85 Örebro, Sweden

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:192doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-192


Published:	3 June 2008

Abstract

Introduction

Premature ventricular complexes are to some extent a normal finding in healthy individuals and the prevalence increases with age and is more common in men. Premature ventricular complexes can occur in association with a variety of stimuli, and a lesser known cause is the association between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias.

Case presentation

A previously healthy man started to ride a lightweight motorbike in heavy traffic. A few weeks later he was admitted to hospital with premature ventricular complexes in bigeminy, which decreased after a few days when he was not exposed to exhaust fumes. A few weeks later he started using the motorbike again and the same symptoms developed once more, only to subside when he stopped riding in heavy traffic.

Conclusion

Studies have shown an association between air pollution and premature ventricular complexes and other kinds of arrhythmias. The mechanism may be changes in cardiac autonomic function, including heart rate and heart rate variability. Air pollution should be considered when patients present with arrhythmias and no other causes are found.