Entropy Profiling: A Reduced—Parametric Measure of Kolmogorov—Sinai Entropy from Short-Term HRV Signal

of vector distances in traditional entropy computations is crucial in deciding the accuracy of signal irregularity information retrieved by these methods. In addition to making parametric choices completely data-driven, entropy profiling generates a complete profile of entropy information as against a single entropy estimate (seen in traditional algorithms). The benefits of using "profiling" instead of "estimation" are: (a) precursory methods such as approximate and sample entropy that have had the limitation of handling short-term signals (less than 1000 samples) are now made capable of the same; (b) the entropy measure can capture complexity information from short and long-term signals without multi-scaling; and (c) this new approach facilitates enhanced information retrieval from short-term HRV signals. The novel concept of entropy profiling has greatly equipped traditional algorithms to overcome existing limitations and broaden applicability in the field of short-term signal analysis. In this work, we present a review of KS-entropy methods and their limitations in the context of short-term heart rate variability analysis and elucidate the benefits of using entropy profiling as an alternative for the same.