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Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Relation to Environmental Exposure to Lead and Cadmium
Wen-Yi Yang1, Zhen-Yu Zhang1, Lutgarde Thijs1
1Studies Coordinating Centre, Research Unit Hypertension and Cardiovascular Epidemiology, KU Leuven Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Belgium.
Journal of the American Heart Association
|February 3, 2017
Summary
Environmental exposure to lead and cadmium may harm systolic heart function. This study links blood lead and urinary cadmium levels to reduced left ventricular function, potentially leading to heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Lead and cadmium are known to have direct toxic effects on the heart muscle.
- Previous human studies on these metals and heart function are limited by design and focus on late-stage outcomes like heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between blood lead (BPb) and urinary cadmium (UCd) levels and left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function.
- To assess the impact of chronic environmental exposure to lead and cadmium on cardiac function in a general population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective population study involving 179 participants from a Flemish population.
- Assessment of systolic and diastolic LV function using Doppler imaging and speckle tracking.
- Multivariable-adjusted linear regression analysis to correlate BPb and UCd with LV function parameters.
Main Results:
- Decreased LV systolic function was observed with increasing BPb and UCd levels.
- Specific parameters like global longitudinal strain and regional strain rate showed significant reductions with higher exposures.
- No significant association was found between BPb or UCd and diastolic LV function.
Conclusions:
- Environmental exposure to lead, cadmium, or both may be a risk factor for developing systolic LV dysfunction.
- Systolic LV dysfunction is a condition that can precede heart failure, highlighting a potential pathway for metal-induced cardiac damage.
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