Assessment of cardiovascular regulation through irreversibility analysis of heart period variability: a 24 hours Holter study in healthy and chronic heart failure populations
2009

Cardiovascular Regulation Analysis Using Heart Period Variability

Sample size: 25 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Alberto Porta, Gianni D'addio, Tito Bassani, Roberto Maestri, Gian Domenico Pinna

Primary Institution: University of Milan

Hypothesis

Can time irreversibility analysis provide insights into cardiovascular regulation in healthy individuals and chronic heart failure patients?

Conclusion

The study found that time irreversibility is significant in heart period variability, particularly during daytime in healthy individuals and is more pronounced in chronic heart failure patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • Nonlinear dynamics due to time irreversibility were significantly present during daytime in healthy subjects.
  • Chronic heart failure patients exhibited more frequent nonlinear dynamics compared to healthy individuals.
  • Results suggest a link between nonlinear dynamics and sympathetic regulation of the heart.

Takeaway

This study looks at how the heart's rhythm changes over a day in healthy people and those with heart problems, showing that healthy hearts behave differently than sick ones.

Methodology

The study used 24-hour Holter recordings to analyze heart period variability in both healthy individuals and chronic heart failure patients, focusing on time irreversibility.

Potential Biases

Potential biases may arise from the selection of participants and the analysis methods used.

Limitations

The study was conducted in uncontrolled experimental conditions and may not account for all variables affecting heart rate.

Participant Demographics

12 healthy individuals (median age 43) and 13 chronic heart failure patients (median age 37, primarily in NYHA class II).

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1098/rsta.2008.0265

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