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Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine

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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Review article

Acute effect of ambient fine particulate matter on heart rate variability: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies

Authors: Zhiping Niu, Feifei Liu, Baojing Li, Na Li, Hongmei Yu, Yongbo Wang, Hong Tang, Xiaolu Chen, Yuanan Lu, Zilu Cheng, Suyang Liu, Gongbo Chen, Yuxiao Zhang, Hao Xiang

Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is a predictor of autonomic system dysfunction, and is considered as a potential mechanism of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) induced by exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM_2.5). Previous studies have suggested that exposure to PM_2.5 may lead to decreased HRV levels, but the results remain inconsistent.

Methods

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies till November 1, 2019 was conducted to evaluate the acute effect of exposure to ambient PM_2.5 on HRV. We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) to identify panel studies reporting the associations between exposure to PM_2.5 and the four indicators of HRV (standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences in adjacent normal-to-normal intervals (rMSSD), high frequency power (HF), and low frequency power (LF)). Random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effect estimates.

Results

A total of 33 panel studies were included in our meta-analysis, with 16 studies conducted in North America, 12 studies in Asia, and 5 studies in Europe. The pooled results showed a 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 exposure which was significantly associated with a − 0.92% change in SDNN (95% confidence intervals (95%CI) − 1.26%, − 0.59%), − 1.47% change in rMSSD (95%CI − 2.17%, − 0.77%), − 2.17% change in HF (95%CI − 3.24%, − 1.10%), and − 1.52% change in LF (95%CI − 2.50%, − 0.54%), respectively. Overall, subgroup analysis suggested that short-term exposure to PM_2.5 was associated with lower HRV levels in Asians, healthy population, and those aged ≥ 40 years.

Conclusion

Short-term exposure to PM_2.5 was associated with decreased HRV levels. Future studies are warranted to clarity the exact mechanism of exposure to PM_2.5 on the cardiovascular system through disturbance of autonomic nervous function.

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Title: Acute effect of ambient fine particulate matter on heart rate variability: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies
Authors: Zhiping Niu
Feifei Liu
Baojing Li
Na Li
Hongmei Yu
Yongbo Wang
Hong Tang
Xiaolu Chen
Yuanan Lu
Zilu Cheng
Suyang Liu
Gongbo Chen
Yuxiao Zhang
Hao Xiang
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1342-078X
Electronic ISSN: 1347-4715
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12199-020-00912-2

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Acute effect of ambient fine particulate matter on heart rate variability: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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