Key result
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a significantly decreased short-term fractal exponent of heart rate variability compared to controls (0.899 vs 1.025, P=0.026).
Why the study?
Are short- and long-term fractal exponents of heart rate variability altered in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared to controls?
Observational (n=30)
Are short- and long-term fractal exponents of heart rate variability altered in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared to controls?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.899% vs 1.025%
p-value: p=0.026
COPD is associated with reduced short-term fractal correlation properties of heart rate variability, which may serve as a marker for autonomic dysfunction and risk stratification.
Reduced short-term HRV fractal exponents in COPD signal possible autonomic impairment; leaves open prognostic value and therapeutic implications.
BACKGROUND: It was reported that autonomic nervous system function is altered in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated short- and long-term fractal exponents of heart rate variability (HRV) in COPD subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed data from 30 volunteers, who were divided into two groups according to spirometric values: COPD (n = 15) and control (n = 15). For analysis of HRV indices, HRV was recorded beat by beat with the volunteers in the supine position for 30 minutes. We analyzed the linear indices in the time (SDNN [standard deviation of normal to normal] and RMSSD [root-mean square of differences]) and frequency domains (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], and LF/HF), and the short- and long-term fractal exponents were obtained by detrended fluctuation analysis. We considered P < 0.05 to be a significant difference. RESULTS: COPD patients presented reduced levels of all linear exponents and decreased short-term fractal exponent (alpha-1: 0.899 ± 0.18 versus 1.025 ± 0.09, P = 0.026). There was no significant difference between COPD and control groups in alpha-2 and alpha-1/alpha-2 ratio. CONCLUSION: COPD subjects present reduced short-term fractal correlation properties of HRV, which indicates that this index can be used for risk stratification, assessment of systemic disease manifestations, and therapeutic procedures to monitor those patients.
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Carvalho et al. (2011) conducted an observational in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (n=30). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease vs. Control was evaluated on Short-term fractal exponent (alpha-1) of heart rate variability (p=0.026). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a significantly decreased short-term fractal exponent of heart rate variability compared to controls (0.899 vs 1.025, P=0.026).
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