The Relationship between Environmental Particulate Matter and ECG Parameters, SpO2, Creatine Kinase-MB, and Cardiac Troponin in Cardiovascular Patients with COVID-19

Background: This study investigated the relationship between environmental particulate matter and electrocardiographic parameters, SpO2, creatine kinase-MB, and cardiac troponin in cardiovascular patients with COVID-19.Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study obtained information about the concentration of environmental particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) from March 20, 2020, to March 20, 2023, from the Abadan Environmental Department. Clinical and laboratory information of cardiovascular patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized at Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital in Abadan during this period was collected. The relationship between environmental particulate matter and SpO2, ECG parameters, troponin, and creatine kinase MB in these patients was investigated.Results: 58.5% of patients were female, with a mean age of 63.03 ± 15.21. The mean ejection fraction (EF) was 30.41 ± 22.69, and the mean peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) was 87.56 ± 11.28, which were lower than normal. The study of the association of environmental particulate matter with clinical and laboratory diagnostic factors in cardiovascular patients with COVID-19 showed that the association between disease progression and troponin T with PM2.5 was significant, and no significant association with environmental particulate matter was observed in other factors. Also, mean PM2.5 was significantly higher on days when patients died, and it was significantly higher in patients with positive troponin T.Conclusion: These findings suggest that exposure to higher levels of PM2.5 may be associated with an increased mortality risk compared to recovery. However, further studies controlling for confounding variables must confirm the causal relationship.