Impaired baroreflex sensitivity and cardiac autonomic functions are associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors among patients with metabolic syndrome in a tertiary care teaching hospital of South-India

Background & aimBaroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and heart rate variability (HRV) have been proposed to assess early autonomic dysfunction in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. Autonomic dysfunction in MetS patients may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the association of BRS and HRV with CVD risk factors remains elusive in MetS. The primary aim of this study was to assess the BRS and HRV in MetS patients among South-Indian adults and check whether BRS and HRV are associated with CVD risk factors.MethodsWe performed anthropometric indices, body composition, physiological parameters such as BRS, HRV, and other autonomic function tests in 176 subjects divided into MetS patients (n = 88) and healthy controls (n = 88). Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical profiles and calculated insulin resistance indices, atherogenic index (AI), and rate pressure product (RPP).ResultsWhen compared to controls, we found significantly reduced BRS and an increased ratio of low-frequency (LF) to high-frequency (HF) power of HRV (LF/HF) in the MetS group. We observed significant differences in body composition and biochemical profiles among the MetS group. BRS and LF/HF ratio of HRV have shown a significant association with CVD risk factors in the MetS group.ConclusionsWe observed autonomic dysfunction as low BRS and high LF/HF ratio of HRV in MetS patients. Additionally, the present results emphasize that the association of BRS and LF/HF ratio with anthropometric, glucose, lipid parameters, and other CVD risk factors may increase the susceptibility of MetS patients to higher CVD risk.     

Heart Rate Variability in Young Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Limited data are available related to the effects of sex hormones on cardiac autonomic function. Few studies investigated the heart rate variability (HRV) parameters during regular menstrual cycle or in postmenopausal women using hormone replacement therapy, but the results were contradictory. The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of the autonomic innervation of the heart in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with regularly cycling controls. Methods: Thirty PCOS patients and 30 healthy regularly cycling controls were included in the study. Groups were compared with respect to age and various cardiovascular risk factors. Characteristics of autonomic innervation of the heart were evaluated with HRV. Power spectral analysis of HRV was performed to calculate the low frequency peak (LF 0.04–0.15 Hz), high‐frequency peak (HF 0.15–0.40 Hz), LF in normalized unit (LF nu), HF in normalized unit (HF nu) and LF/HF ratio. Results: PCOS patients had adverse cardiovascular risk profile than controls. As the HRV parameters, PCOS patients had significantly higher LF nu (P = 0.005) and LF/HF ratio (P = 0.001) and significantly lower HF (P = 0.006) and HF nu (P < 0.001) compared to controls. Conclusion: Autonomic innervation of the heart can be affected in PCOS with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic components of HRV. As a result, sympathetic to parasympathetic ratio may increase in PCOS. This finding should be confirmed with larger studies also evaluating the clinical implications of altered HRV parameters.     

严重充血性心力衰竭患者自主神经功能与心率变异的关系及地高辛的影响

对２５例重度充血性心力衰竭（ＣＨＦ）患者在地高辛治疗前后测定血浆去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）及心率变异（ＨＲＶ）。结果显示：ＮＥ基础值与ＨＲＶ时域指标基础水平均呈负相关（Ｐ＜０．０５或＜０．０１）。地高辛治疗前后的ＮＥ相比（２９１±８０ｐｇ／ｍｌｖｓ２１３±８２ｐｇ／ｍｌ），Ｐ＜０．００１。２４小时平均ＲＲ间期及２４小时正常ＲＲ间期标准差由治疗前的７２７±１２３ｍｓ及６７．７±２１．８ｍｓ分别增加至７７７±１２２ｍｓ及８７．２±２９．２ｍｓ（Ｐ均＜０．０５）；２４小时相邻ＲＲ间期差值的均方根（ＲＭＳＳＤ）、２４小时正常相邻ＲＲ间期之差大于５０ｍｓ的心搏数所占百分比（ＰＮＮ５０）及高频（ＨＦ）由治疗前的３６．３±３０．６ｍｓ、５．３±５．５％及３７．１±２１．２ｍｓ２分别增加至５６．１±４３．７ｍｓ、１０．８±１０．６％及７９．９±５８．２ｍｓ２（Ｐ值＜０．０５至＜０．０１）；低频（ＬＦ）由治疗前的１１８．９±１３３．２ｍｓ２增加至１７１．２±１７２．８ｍｓ２（Ｐ＜０．００５）；ＮＥ下降幅度与时域指标增加幅度均呈正相关。ＨＲＶ多数时域指标增加幅度及其绝对值与血清地高辛浓度呈正相关，以ＲＭＳＳＤ和ＰＮＮ５０尤为显著（Ｐ?     

Prediction of unexpected sudden death among healthy dogs by a novel marker of autonomic neural activity

BACKGROUND: Unexpected sudden death among apparently healthy individuals remains a daunting problem. We have previously shown that autonomic modulation of cardiac arrhythmias and autonomic markers, such as baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and heart rate variability (HRV), carry predictive power after myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that a parameter combining BRS and HRV could predict risk for ventricular fibrillation (VF) during a first ischemic episode in otherwise healthy dogs. METHODS: In 43 fully instrumented dogs, BRS and frequency domain analysis of HRV were determined, as well as the occurrence (n = 10, high-risk) or absence (n = 33, low-risk) of VF during 2 minutes of myocardial ischemia superimposed on submaximal exercise. TARVA (Tonic and Reflex Vagal Activity), expressed in units, is the parameter resulting from the multiplication of BRS by HF/LF (an index of tonic vagal activity). RESULTS: High-risk dogs had markedly lower TARVA values, reflecting lower cardiac vagal activity, than low-risk animals (12 +/- 5 versus 56 +/- 43 units, P < .001). The area under the receiver-operator characteristic curve for TARVA was 0.96 (95% confidence interval 0.86 to 0.99); its optimal cutoff had a 100% sensitivity and a 88% specificity with positive and negative predictive values of 71% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Differences in cardiac autonomic activity, present in healthy dogs, allow prediction of arrhythmic risk during a first ischemic episode. Increased risk is associated with reduced vagal activity. If confirmed in humans, this finding would open the way to the identification of those apparently healthy subjects at risk for sudden cardiac death during their first episode of myocardial ischemia.     

Metabolic syndrome and short‐term heart rate variability in young adults

Aims Heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to estimate autonomic nervous control of the cardiovascular system. In middle‐aged subjects, the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with lower HRV. We hypothesized that alterations in autonomic balance are already present in young adults with the MetS, and analysed the association of short‐term HRV with the MetS (using the National Cholesterol Education Program definition), in 1889 subjects aged 24–39 years. Methods Short‐term (3 min) HRV analysis included high‐frequency (HF), low‐frequency (LF) and total (TP) spectral components of HRV and LF/HF ratio. Results The presence of the MetS was associated with lower HF, LF and TP in men and women, and with higher LF/HF ratio in women. In men, waist circumference was the strongest individual MetS component that associated with HRV. After adjustments for age and heart rate, MetS was associated with lower HF and higher LF/HF ratio in women, but only with a lower TP in men (all P < 0.05). Conclusions MetS is associated with lower HRV in young adults. The individual components of MetS are differentially associated with HRV in men and in women. Our results are consistent with lower vagal activity and a possible increase in sympathetic predominance in women with the MetS. This sex difference in vagal activity and sympathovagal balance may partly explain the greater increase in cardiovascular risk associated with MetS in women than in men.     

冠心病心肌缺血发作时自主神经功能的变化

采用心率变异性（ＨＲＶ）自回归（ＡＲ）和快速傅立叶转换（ＦＦＴ）两种频域法对比分析５０例冠心病病人和５０例正常人ＨＲＶ的昼夜变化及心肌缺血时与无缺血时的ＨＲＶ变化，并对两种频域法进行相关性分析。结果表明：冠心病组和对照组的ＨＲＶ呈昼夜变化，白天以低频成分（ＬＦ，代表交感神经活性）占优势，夜间以高频成分（ＨＦ，反映迷走神经活性）占优势；冠心病心肌缺血病人的ＨＲＶ昼夜变化减少（ＡＲ法，ＬＦ／ＨＦ：冠心病组为２．２±０．９ＶＳ０．８±１．１，对照组为２．４±１．２ＶＳ０．３±０．８，Ｐ＜０．０５），清晨自主神经调节发生突然变化，即由迷走神经兴奋转为交感神经兴奋；劳累型心绞痛病人心肌缺血时ＬＦ增高（１６３±１３２ｍｓ２ＶＳ２４７±１６２ｍｓ２，Ｐ＜０．０５），ＨＦ减少（７５±２１ｍｓ２ＶＳ５７±１１ｍｓ２，Ｐ＜０．０５），心肌缺血次数与ＬＦ呈正相关（ｒ＝０．６７）．上午６～１０时心肌缺血发生最多。两种能谱估计法呈高度正相关（ｒ＝０．９８）。提示：劳累型心绞痛的发作与交感神经功能亢进、迷走神经张力减弱有关；清晨自主神经功能调节的突然变化可起板机作用，使此时心肌缺血的发生频度增高。     

Sympatho-vagal control of heart rate variability in patients treated with suppressive doses of L-thyroxine for thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the autonomic control of heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects receiving chronic l-thyroxine (l-T4) treatment after total thyroidectomy and (131)I therapy for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Blood pressure (BP) and sympatho-vagal activity (evaluated by power spectral analysis (PSA) of time-domain parameters of HRV) were studied in clinostatism and after orthostatism in 24 healthy controls, and in 12 patients taking l-T4 (125-200 mug/day) to maintain serum TSH levels at <0.01 muIU/ml. The study of HRV by PSA is a non-invasive method of analyzing sympatho-vagal control of HRV by quantifying high-frequency (HF) (0.15-0.4 Hz) and low-frequency (LF) (0.04-0.15 Hz) powers. RESULTS: Patients on L-T4 treatment had undetectable TSH levels, serum free T4 (fT4) above the normal range or at the upper limit in one case, and normal free tri-iodothyronine (fT3) levels. Heart rate and R-R intervals were not different in the two groups, both in clinostatism and in ortostatism. Systolic and mean BP were higher in patients than in controls and were inversely correlated with actual serum fT4 levels. During clinostatism, thyroid patients showed significantly lower LF power (P = 0.035), LF/(LF + HF) (P = 0.008) and LF/HF (P = 0.01) than controls. When patients moved from lying to standing, there was a significantly different decrease in orthostatic LF power (P = 0.001), LF/(LF + HF) (P = 0.044) and LF/HF (P = 0.047) versus controls. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in autonomic control of HRV, characterized by decreased sympathetic activity and impaired sympatho-vagal balance with preserved vagal tone, are detectable in patients with hyperthyroxinemia due to suppressive l-T4 therapy and increased systolic and mean, but not diastolic, BP.     

The Relationship Between Heart Rate Recovery and Heart Rate Variability in Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Reduced heart rate recovery (HRR) in coronary artery disease (CAD) is predictive of increased cardiovascular mortality and is related to reduced parasympathetic tonus. Objective: To investigate HRR and heart rate variability (HRV) measured at steady state condition and the relationship between these two parameters in CAD. Materials and Methods: In our study, we enrolled 33 (28 males, mean age 52.4 ± 9.6 years) patients with CAD who did not have heart failure, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker, and any disease state that could affect the autonomic functions and 38 age‐matched healthy subjects (21 males, mean age 48.3 ± 7.8 years). All the patients underwent submaximal treadmill exercise testing (Bruce protocol). HRR was calculated by subtracting the heart rate values at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd minutes of the recovery phase from the peak heart rate (HRR₁, HRR₂, HRR₃). Before exercise testing, short‐term steady state HRV analyses of all subjects were obtained with the time‐ and frequency‐domain methods and were correlated to HRR. For frequency‐domain analysis, low‐frequency HRV (LF, 0.004–0.15 Hz), high‐frequency HRV (HF, 0.15–0.5 Hz), and LF/HF ratio were measured for 5 minutes in the morning. For time‐domain analysis, standard deviation of the normal‐to‐normal NN intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean squared differences of successive N‐N intervals (RMSSD), and proportion derived by dividing the number of interval differences of successive N‐N intervals greater than 50 ms by the total number of N‐N intervals (pNN50) were obtained. Only HRR₃ was used for the correlation analysis. Results: In CAD groups, the HF, an indicator of parasympathetic activation, was significantly reduced, whereas the LF and LF/HF values, which are indicators of sympathetic activity, were increased (P = 0.0001 for each parameter). The time‐domain parameters SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50 were significantly reduced in the patient group (P = 0.0001, P = 0.009, and P = 0.0001, respectively). Similar to the HRV parameters, the HRR₁, HRR₂, and HRR₃ values were significantly reduced in the patient group (P = 0.0001 for each parameter). We observed a significant negative correlation between HRR₃ and LF (r =?0.67, P = 0.0001) and between HRR₃ and LF/HF (r =?0.62, P < 0.0001), while there was a significant positive correlation between HRR₃ and HF, SDNN, RMSSD, and pNN50 (r = 0.69, P = 0.0001; r = 0.41, P = 0.0001; r = 0.31, P = 0.008; and r = 0.44, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: HRR and HRV are significantly reduced in CAD. The reduction in HRR is parallel to the changes in HRV parameters. HRR, which can be measured easily in the recovery phase of exercise testing, can be used to detect the depression of parasympathetic tonus and to evaluate the basal autonomic balance in this patient group.     

Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy on Heart Rate Variability in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, but the underlying mechanism(s) are not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of a 6‐month course of HRT on cardiac autonomic function parameters assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women. Methods: Forty‐six healthy postmenopausal women (age 48 ± 5, range 40–60) with normal baseline electrocardiogram and negative exercise testing were enrolled. HRT, which was either 0.625 mg/day conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) plus 2.5 mg/day medroxyprogesterone acetate or 0.625 mg/day CEE alone were administered depending on hysterectomy status. Power spectral analysis of HRV was performed to calculate the low frequency component in absolute (LF) and normalized units (LF nu), high frequency component in absolute (HF), and normalized units (HF nu), and the LF/HF ratio. The standard deviation of RR intervals (SDNN) was calculated from the time series of RR intervals. Results: A 6‐month course of HRT did not significantly alter resting heart rate (P > 0.05). The LF/HF ratio and LF nu significantly decreased after HRT (P = 0.022 and P = 0.032), whereas a significant increase was noted in the HF component of HRV (P = 0.043), indicating an improvement in cardiac autonomic function. The SDNN value, which was 28.8 ± 11.8 ms before HRT significantly increased to 35.4 ± 16.7 ms after 6 months (P = 0.011). Conclusion: Our results indicate that a 6‐month course of HRT may significantly improve cardiac autonomic function parameters, a finding that could at least partly explain the potential cardiopro‐tective effect(s) of HRT. A.N.E. 2001;6(4):280–284     

Autonomic function and severity of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by power spectrum analysis on heart rate variability]

To examine the relation of autonomic function and severity of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with and without ventricular tachycardia (VT) and poor blood pressure response on Treadmill exercise, 30 patients with HCM and 10 healthy controls were selected. Autonomic function was assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) on 24hr-Holter monitoring. The power spectrum analysis was classified into LF component, HF component and ratio of LF/HF. (1) Night time HF and LF decreased, and LF/HF increased in HCM compared with healthy controls. (2) HF decreased more in HCM with VT. (3) LF/HF also decreased in HCM with poor blood pressure response on exercise. These results suggest that autonomic function may be altered in HCM, and severity of HCM proved to be able to be assessed by power spectrum analysis of HRV.     

Cigarette Smoking and Heart Rate Variability: Dynamic Influence of Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Maneuvers

Background: Cigarette smoking has been associated with increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. In this study, we investigated cardiac autonomic function in heavy smokers and nonsmoker controls by analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Method: Twenty‐four long‐term heavy smokers (men) and twenty‐two nonsmoker subjects (hospital staff) were included to study. Time domain [mean R‐R interval (RR), the standard deviation of R‐R interval index (SDNN), and the root mean square of successive R‐R interval differences (RMSSD)] and frequency domain [high frequency (HF) low frequency (LF), and LF/HF ratio] parameters of HRV were obtained from all participants after 15 minutes resting period in supine position (S), during controlled respiration (CR), and handgrip exercise (HGE) over 5‐minute periods. Results: Baseline SDNN and RMSSD values were found to be lower in smokers than in nonsmokers. (64 ± 10 vs 78 ± 22, P < 0.05 and 35 ± 12 vs 54 ± 30 ms, P < 0.05). Baseline LF/HF ratio was also found to be higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (1.3 ± 0.6 vs 0.9 ± 0.5 ms, P < 0.05). The other HRV parameters including R‐R interval, LF, and HF were not significantly different. During CR, expected increase in RR, SDNN, and RMSSD did not occur in smokers, while it did occur in nonsmokers. Most HRV indices were significantly affected by HGE in both groups. In addition, the duration of smoking was found to be inversely correlated with RMSSD and HF and positively correlated with LF/HF ratio. Conclusion: Vagal modulation of the heart is blunted in heavy smokers, particularly during a parasympathetic maneuver. Blunted autonomic control of the heart may partly be associated with adverse event attributed to cigarette smoking.     

Postprandial Changes of Sympathovagal Balance Measured by Heart Rate Variability

The aim of this study was to investigate thesympathovagal balance after meals by measuring thespectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Ninehealthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for 30 minin a fasting state and 60 min after a 500-kcal testmeal. The HRV was derived from the ECG and was measuredby power spectral analysis using fast-Fourier transform algorithm. It reveals two dominantspectral components. The low-frequency (LF) bandreflects primarily sympathetic activity with someparasympathetic input. The high-frequency (HF) band isa reflection of parasympathetic (vagal) activity. TheLF-to-HF ratio is considered a marker of sympathovagalbalance. It was found that the postprandial LF-to-HFratio, compared with the fasting state, wassignificantly increased at both the first 30 min (2.50± 0.49 vs 1.78 ± 0.33, P < 0.05) andthe second 30 min (2.68 ± 0.55 vs 1.78 ±0.33, P < 0.05). The postprandial HF diminishedsignificantly at both the first (16.0 ± 0.5 vs 21.8 ±4.2, P < 0.05) and the second (13.8 ± 9.5 vs21.8 ± 4.2, P < 0.05) 30-min period. Inconclusion, the postprandial sympathovagal ratio showsa sustained elevation lasting 1 hr, mainly attributed to diminishedvagal activity.     

Autonomic indexes based on the analysis of heart rate variability: a view from the sinus node

OBJECTIVE: Clinical indexes of autonomic activity are based on the analysis of sinus cycle length and of its variability. A common assumption underlying this practice is that neural activity and cycle length may be linearly related. Recent experimental evidence suggests that such an assumption may not be correct; indeed, the relation linking autonomic agonist concentration to cycle length was found to be strongly non-linear in single sinoatrial myocytes. In the present work, we (i) test compatibility of non-linearity of neural modulation of cycle length (CL) with previous experimental and clinical observations; (ii) evaluate its implications for what concerns the interpretation of time- and frequency-domain parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). CONCLUSION: Non-linearity of neural modulation of CL may result in an intrinsic rate-dependency of autonomic indexes, with the exception of normalised frequency-domain indexes (e.g. the low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) ratio), which appear to be devoid of intrinsic rate-dependency. This characteristic may not limit the value of HRV indexes and BRS in risk stratification, but has to be taken into account in their pathophysiological interpretation.     

Autonomic responses to single- and dual-chamber pacing

We investigated the autonomic effects of short-term, single- and dual-chamber pacing by evaluating frequency-domain indexes of heart rate variability (HRV). The study group comprised 25 patients (mean age 62 +/- 7 years) without organic heart disease and with normal sinus node function who were implanted with a permanent dual-chamber DDD (n = 16) or VDD (n = 9) pacing system for transient high-degree atrioventricular block. Continuous overdrive pacing for 15 minutes slightly above the intrinsic rhythm was programmed to ensure complete capture in AAI, DDD, and VVI modes, and the atrioventricular delays were set to ensure permanent ventricular pacing in DDD and VDD modes. Components of frequency-domain measures of HRV (low frequency [LF], high-frequency [HF], and LF/HF ratio) were calculated in 5-minute intervals over a 30-minute period after cessation of each pacing mode. AAI pacing did not significantly affect LF and LF/HF measures, and presented the highest HF power. DDD and VDD modes led to similar responses with slightly increased fluctuations of LF and LF/HF power. VVI pacing triggered an acceleration in heart rate (p <0.05), the most significant increases in LF power and in the LF/HF ratio, and the lowest HF power. Autonomic effects of pacing did not resolve with cessation of pacing. Atrial AAI pacing appears to have lesser effect on sympathovagal balance. Synchronous VDD and DDD stimulation favor a shift in autonomic balance toward sympathetic predominance. Asynchronous VVI pacing triggers both sympathetic overactivity and vagal withdrawal.     

Changes of heart rate variability during ventilator weaning

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Despite the recognition that ventilator weaning is associated with a change in autonomic nervous system activity, there has not been any report concerning the change of heart rate variability (HRV), a reliable method to detect autonomic nervous system activity, in patients during weaning. The aim of this study was to investigate the change of autonomic nervous system activity during ventilator weaning by HRV analysis. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A 16-bed medical ICU of a tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients receiving mechanical ventilation were included. Twelve patients with successful extubation after a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) [T-piece trial] were classified as the success group; otherwise, the patients were placed in the failure group. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Variables, including the total power (TP), and the high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components of HRV, were measured in three phases: assist/control mandatory ventilation, pressure support ventilation (PSV), and SBT. While shifting from PSV to SBT, the HRV components decreased significantly in the failure group (TP, p = 0.025; LF, p = 0.007; HF, p = 0.031), but not in the success group. CONCLUSIONS: By HRV analysis, reduced HRV and vagal withdrawal of the autonomic nervous system activity are the main changes in patients with weaning failure.     

Heart rate variability in obesity and the effect of weight loss

To investigate the effects of obesity and weight loss on cardiovascular autonomic function, we examined 28 obese patients referred for weight-reducing gastroplasty, 24 obese patients who received dietary recommendations, and 28 lean subjects. Body weight, blood pressure, and 24-hour urinary norepinephrine excretion were measured, and time and frequency domain indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) were obtained from 24-hour Holter recordings. A measure of long-term HRV, the SD of all normal RR intervals (SDANN), was used as an index of sympathetic activity and the high-frequency (HF) component of the frequency domain, reflecting short-term HRV, as an estimate of vagal activity. All 3 study groups were investigated at baseline, and the 2 obese groups were reexamined at 1-year follow-up. Obese patients had higher blood pressure, higher urinary norepinephrine excretion, and attenuated SDANN and HF values than lean subjects (p <0.01). Obese patients treated with surgery had a mean weight loss of 32 kg (28%), whereas the obese group treated with dietary recommendations remained weight stable (p <0.001). At follow-up the weight-loss group displayed decreases in blood pressure and norepinephrine excretion and showed increments in SDANN and HF values. These changes were significantly greater than those observed in the obese control group (p <0.05). Our findings suggest that obese patients have increased sympathetic activity and a withdrawal of vagal activity and that these autonomic disturbances improve after weight loss.     

Circadian Rhythms of Heart Rate Variability in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background: It has been hypothesized that an interaction between sympathetic nervous activity and an abnormal myocardium plays a role in the development and progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: In the present study we investigated cardiac autonomic function by 24-hour spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) in 18 patients with HCM, without evidence of heart failure, and 18 controls of similar age. Results: We found a significant reduction of 24 hour variance in HCM patients relative to controls (15,000 ± 9480 ms² vs 24,720 ± 12,450 ms² respectively; p < 0.05). Moreover, a loss of the expected day-night changes in the low frequency (LF) spectral component (expressed in normalized units), and LF/HF ratio (HF; high frequency component) were observed in HCM patients. Decreased day-night changes in LF/HF ratio were previously reported in patients with mild hypertension, uncomplicated coronary disease, and after myocardial infarction, conditions in which it seems to exist a higher than normal sympathetic activity. No significant correlations were found between HRV indices and echocardiographic standard measures of systolic and diastolic function parameters. Conclusions: These data are consistent with the presence of an alteration in neural modulation of heart period in HCM patients, noninvasively detectable by continuous 24 hour HRV analysis.     

No Evidence of Cardiac Autonomic Involvement in Ankylosing Spondylitis, as Assessed by Heart Rate Variability

The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function by using power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) method in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study included 94 AS patients all fulfilling the New York criteria for AS, and 49 healthy volunteers. Recordings for HRV were obtained with a PC-based high-resolution electrocardiographic system and analysed using power spectral analysis. The peak around 0.04–0.15 Hz was defined as low-frequency peak (LF) and the other, around 0.15–0.40 Hz, was defined as high-frequency peak (HF), representing mostly the sympathetic and the parasympathetic components of the ANS, respectively. The following variables were calculated and compared between groups: the LF in absolute and normalised units (LF nU); the HF in absolute and normalised units (HF nU); and LF/HF ratio. The AS group included 47 male and 47 female subjects with a mean age of 33 ± 11 years (range 16–64). In the control group there were 23 male and 26 female healthy subjects (mean age 33 ± 8; range 19–60). None of the patients or control subjects had any cardiac or neurological symptoms. Both groups were similar with respect to age and sex characteristics (p >0.05). The HRV analysis indicated that the peaks of LF, LF nU, HF, HF nU and LF/HF ratio were similar in both groups. Groups also did not differ with respect to heart rate at the time of examination. Our data demonstrated no evidence of ANS involvement as assessed by HRV analysis in AS patients. Received: 19 July 2000 / Accepted: 25 October 2000     

Changes in autonomic nervous activity prior to spontaneous coronary spasm in patients with variant angina

Although the autonomic nervous system has been implicated in the genesis of coronary spasm, the precise mechanism by which it serves as the trigger of coronary spasm remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in autonomic nervous activity associated with ischemic episodes in patients with variant angina (VA). Heart rate variability (HRV) on Holter monitoring was analyzed during 17 ischemic episodes in 11 patients with VA. The parameters of HRV were measured during a 2-min period at various time intervals prior to the onset of ST-segment elevation. The low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of the HRV, LF/HF ratio, mean RR interval, and the coefficient of the RR interval variation (CV) were calculated for each time interval. Both the HF and the CV increased significantly in the 2 min prior to the onset of ST-segment elevation, suggesting heightened vagal activity. The LF/HF ratio, a measure of cardiac sympatho-vagal balance, did not change. The LF, a measure of sympathetic activity with vagal modulation, also did not change. The RR interval decreased significantly in the 2 min prior to the onset of ST-segment elevation. These results suggest that enhancement of both the vagal and the sympathetic nervous activity plays an important role in the initiation of coronary spasm.     

T‐Wave Alternans and Heart Rate Variability: A Comparison in Patients with Myocardial Infarction with or without Diabetes Mellitus

Background : The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in T‐wave alternans (TWA) and heart rate variability (HRV) among patients with myocardial infarction with or without diabetes mellitus and the relationship between TWA and HRV. Methods: The study population included 133 patients: 59 patients with myocardial infarction (MI) (group post‐MI without diabetes); 40 myocardial infarction with diabetes (group post‐MI with diabetes); and 34 controls (group control). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy assessment was made using frequency domain (low‐frequency [LF] power, high‐frequency [HF] power, LF/HF) and time domain (SDNN, standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5‐minute segments [SDANN]) of HRV indexes. Both TWA and HRV were measured on the Holter monitor, and TWA was calculated automatically using the time‐domain modified moving average method. Results: TWA values differed significantly between controls (40 ± 16 μV) and group post‐MI with (62 ± 17 μV, P < 0.05) or without (60 ± 15 μV, P < 0.05) diabetes. In addition, group post‐MI with diabetes had lower standard deviation of all normal sinus RR intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the averaged normal sinus RR intervals for all 5‐minute segments (SDANN), and HF, indicating depressed vagus nerve activity, and higher LF/HF ratio, indicating elevated sympathetic nerve activity, than controls and group post‐MI without diabetes (P < 0.05). TWA correlated with SDNN and SDANN (r = 0.29, 0.31; P < 0.001). Conclusions: TWA was elevated in patients following myocardial infarction, both in those with or without diabetes. Myocardial infarction patients had a lower time domain, HF, and a higher LF/HF ratio HRV, especially in those with diabetes. The analysis of modified moving agerage (MMA)‐based TWA and HRV can be a useful tool for identifying post–myocardial infarction patients at high risk of arrhythmic events. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2011;16(3):232–238