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Heart Rate Variability Impairment Is Associated with Right Ventricular Overload and Early Mortality Risk in Patients
Monika Lisicka1, Marta Skowrońska1, Bartosz Karolak1
1Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|February 11, 2023
Summary
Heart rate variability (HRV) is linked to right ventricular overload in acute pulmonary embolism (APE) patients. Impaired HRV indicates worse clinical risk and RV strain in APE.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Acute pulmonary embolism (APE) poses significant mortality risks.
- The relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and right ventricular (RV) overload in APE is not well-defined.
- Assessing RV overload is crucial for APE risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between time-domain HRV parameters and RV overload in APE patients.
- To explore the correlation between HRV and mortality risk in APE.
- To determine if HRV can aid in APE risk stratification.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 162 consecutive APE patients.
- 24-hour Holter monitoring for HRV assessment.
- Echocardiography and NT-proBNP measurements for RV overload indicators.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between HRV parameters (e.g., SDNN) and echocardiographic signs of RV overload (RVSP, TAPSE, IVC).
- SDNN showed significant correlation with NT-proBNP levels.
- HRV indices, particularly SDNN, were associated with APE risk stratification, especially in lower-risk groups.
Conclusions:
- Time-domain HRV parameters are significantly associated with echocardiographic and biochemical markers of RV overload in APE.
- Impaired HRV is linked to a worse clinical risk status in APE patients.
- HRV may serve as a valuable, non-invasive tool for assessing RV status and risk in APE.
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