Association of Heart Rate Variability with Pulmonary Function Impairment and Symptomatology Post-COVID-19 Hospitalization

E.A.M.C. Adang, M.T.A. Strous, J.P. van den Bergh, D. Gach, V.E.M. van Kampen, R.E.P. van Zeeland, D.G. Barten*, F.H.M. van Osch

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The persistence of symptoms beyond three months after COVID-19 infection, often referred to as post-COVID-19 condition (PCC), is commonly experienced. It is hypothesized that PCC results from autonomic dysfunction with decreased vagal nerve activity, which can be indexed by low heart rate variability (HRV). The aim of this study was to assess the association of HRV upon admission with pulmonary function impairment and the number of reported symptoms beyond three months after initial hospitalization for COVID-19 between February and December 2020. Follow-up took place three to five months after discharge and included pulmonary function tests and the assessment of persistent symptoms. HRV analysis was performed on one 10 s electrocardiogram obtained upon admission. Analyses were performed using multivariable and multinomial logistic regression models. Among 171 patients who received follow-up, and with an electrocardiogram at admission, decreased diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (41%) was most frequently found. After a median of 119 days (IQR 101-141), 81% of the participants reported at least one symptom. HRV was not associated with pulmonary function impairment or persistent symptoms three to five months after hospitalization for COVID-19.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2473
Number of pages11
JournalSensors
Volume23
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2023

Keywords

  • heart rate variability
  • COVID-19
  • post-COVID-19 condition
  • long COVID
  • autonomic dysfunction
  • vagal nerve activity
  • symptomatology
  • lung function
  • SEX-DIFFERENCES
  • DISEASE

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