Analysis of nonlinear heart rate dynamics in cardiac arrhythmias

1435-1544

Key words Heart rate variability – arrhythmias

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Summary Analysis of heart rate dynamics by methods based on nonlinear dynamics has opened a new approach for studying the abnormalities in heart rate behavior as a predictor of cardiac arrhythmias. Recent studies have shown that the new nonlinear measures, particularly fractal analysis methods of heart rate dynamics, perform better than traditional analysis methods as a predictor of sudden cardiac death in post-infarction populations. Altered short-term fractal properties of heart rate dynamics have also been shown to precede the onset of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Reduced approximate entropy, a measure of complexity of heart rate variability has been observed to precede the spontaneous onset of atrial fibrillation. These findings support the notion that some nonlinear methods, such as fractal and complexity measures, give important new information for the prediction of the onset of cardiac arrhythmias.¶   This article provides a review of our current knowledge of the usefulness of newer dynamic measures of heart rate fluctuation both in risk stratification and as predictors of spontaneous onset of cardiac arrhythmias.

Electronic Resource