Biomedical subjects

Timo H Mäkikallio

Publications and source records attributed to Timo H Mäkikallio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Association between usage of beta-blocking medication and benefit from implantable cardioverter therapy.

The mortality benefit of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy in primary and secondary prevention has been shown in various studies in patients with depressed left ventricular systolic function. This study determined the association between the mortality benefit of ICD therapy and the use of beta-blocking medication in randomized ICD trials. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials of ICD therapy compared with conventional medical treatment reporting mortality as an outcome (Medline from May 1995 to May 2005). Ten randomized trials were included. Included studies were reviewed to determine the number of patients, follow-up, and the mortality of ICD and control groups. The analysis of these trials showed a strong negative association between the use of beta-blocking medication and the 2-year mortality benefit of ICD therapy (r = -0.81, p <0.01). In conclusion, the use of beta-blocking medication is associated with a reduced absolute mortality benefit of ICD therapy in reported randomized trials.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

Heart rate recovery after maximal exercise is associated with acetylcholine receptor M2 (CHRM2) gene polymorphism.

The determinants of heart rate (HR) recovery after exercise are not well known, although attenuated HR recovery is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Because acetylcholine receptor subtype M2 (CHRM2) plays a key role in the cardiac chronotropic response, we tested the hypothesis that, in healthy individuals, the CHRM2 gene polymorphisms might be associated with HR recovery 1 min after the termination of a maximal exercise test, both before and after endurance training. The study population consisted of sedentary men and women (n = 95, 42 +/- 5 yr) assigned to a training (n = 80) or control group (n = 15). The study subjects underwent a 2-wk laboratory-controlled endurance training program, which included five 40-min sessions/wk at 70-80% of maximal HR. HR recovery differed between the intron 5 rs324640 genotypes at baseline (C/C, -33 +/- 10; C/T, -33 +/- 7; and T/T, -40 +/- 11 beats/min, P = 0.008). Endurance training further strengthened the association: the less common C/C homozygotes showed 6 and 12 beats/min lower HR recovery than the C/T heterozygotes or the T/T homozygotes (P = 0.001), respectively. A similar association was found between A/T transversion at the 3'-untranslated region of the CHRM2 gene and HR recovery at baseline (P = 0.025) and after endurance training (P = 0.005). These data suggest that DNA sequence variation at the CHRM2 locus is a potential modifier of HR recovery in the sedentary state and after short-term endurance training in healthy individuals.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2006

Cardiac vagal outflow after aerobic training by analysis of high-frequency oscillation of the R-R interval.

This study was designed to assess the effect of aerobic training on the dynamics between the R-R interval length and the high-frequency (HF) oscillation of the R-R interval. Seventeen healthy males (26+/-2 years) participated in an 8-week aerobic training intervention. The mean HF spectral power (0.15-0.4 Hz) of the R-R interval and the mean R-R interval length were analyzed from 24-h recordings. HF power was also analyzed in 5-min sequences and plotted as a function of the corresponding mean R-R interval length. The relationship between the R-R interval length and the HF power was analyzed by a quadratic regression model. The relationship was defined as saturated if the distinct deflection point of the model occurred before the maximum R-R interval. Otherwise, the relationship was defined as linear. Additionally, the mean HF power was calculated from the linear portion of the R-R interval versus the HF power regression curve (HF index). Before the training intervention, seven subjects had a saturated HF power. After the intervention, five new cases of saturated HF power were observed. The mean HF power of the 24-h recording did not change in the group with a saturated HF power before training (7.4+/-0.8 vs. 7.6+/-0.8 ms(2)), but the HF index increased (6.7+/-0.7 vs. 7.1+/-0.7 ms(2), P<0.05). We conclude that enhanced vagal activity due to aerobic training increases the prevalence of the saturation of the HF oscillation of the R-R interval variability in healthy subjects. HF power calculated from unsaturated area detects more accurately subtle changes in the vagally mediated beat-to-beat variability of the R-R interval after aerobic training than the mean 24-h HF power.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Long-term alterations of heart rate dynamics after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

We tested the hypothesis that there may be long-term alterations in overall heart rate (HR) variability and in fractal HR behavior after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Reduced HR variability predicts morbidity in various patient populations. Continuous 24-h electrocardiograph recordings were performed in 25 elective CABG surgery patients 1 wk before the operation and 6 wk and 6 mo after. Seventeen of the patients also had recordings 12 mo after CABG. Time and frequency domain measures of HR variability were assessed, along with measurement of short-term fractal scaling exponent (alpha1), approximate entropy, and power-law relationship of relative risk interval variability (beta-slope). The high, low, very low, and ultra low frequency powers decreased significantly after the operation and remained at a significantly decreased level 6 wk and 6 and 12 mo after the operation than before (P = 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001 for overall difference between the time points, respectively). The fractal scaling exponent alpha1 was at significantly more decreased 6 wk after (P < 0.05) CABG than before surgery but recovered to the preoperative level 6 mo after the operation. Long-term fractal organization (beta-slope) remained stable, but the overall complexity (approximate entropy) decreased toward more predictable HR dynamics during the study period (P < 0.01 after 1 yr). The predictive value of temporary and persistent long-term changes of the HR dynamics after CABG surgery for long-term outcome is not clear.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Frequency of sudden cardiac death among acute myocardial infarction survivors with optimized medical and revascularization therapy.

The epidemiologic pattern of sudden cardiac death (SCD) may have changed in the modern treatment era of patients after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated the effect of optimized medical and revascularization therapy on the incidence of SCD after an AMI. A total of 2,130 consecutive patients (mean age 59 +/- 10 years) with an AMI from 2 European centers (Germany and Finland) was included in the study. In this population, 1,004 patients (47%) were treated with an optimized medical and revascularization strategy (defined as treatment with revascularization, beta blockers, aspirin, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors). Nonoptimized treatment, defined as a lack of any optimized treatment, was received by 1,126 patients (53%). During the mean follow-up of 2.9 +/- 1.3 years, the incidence of SCD was very low among patients who received optimized treatment (1.2%, annual incidence 0.4%) compared with those who did not (3.6%, annual incidence 1.4%, p <0.01). The treatment strategy that had the greatest effect on differences in the SCD rate was revascularization therapy, with the hazard ratio of SCD being 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.2 to 3.7, p <0.01) for SCD among nonrevascularized patients. Nonoptimized treatment was more often received by older patients, women, diabetic patients, and those with depressed left ventricular function. In conclusion, the incidence of SCD is low in the modern treatment era of patients after an AMI. Coronary revascularization seems to have a great effect on altered the epidemiologic pattern of SCD.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2005

Individual differences in the responses to endurance and resistance training.

Large individual differences in the responsiveness of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) to endurance training have been observed in healthy subjects. We tested the hypothesis that subjects with a poor responsiveness to endurance training might benefit from resistance training in terms of aerobic fitness. The study population consisted of sedentary healthy male and female subjects (n=91, 42+/-5 year) assigned to either a training (n=73) or a control group (n=18). The randomized cross-over study design included a 2-week laboratory-controlled endurance or resistance training period with a 2-month detraining period between the interventions. Large individual differences were observed in the changes of VO2peak (DeltaVO2peak) after both the endurance (average 8+/-6 %, P<0.001, range -5 to +22%) and resistance training (average 4+/-5%, P<0.001, range -8 to +16%). The average increase in DeltaVO2peak between genders was similar after both the endurance (8+/-6% for both genders, P=ns) and resistance training (3+/-5% for males and 5+/-6% for females, P=ns). There was no linear relationship between the changes in VO2peak after each training intervention (r=-.09, P=ns). On the contrary, when the study group was divided into quartiles according to the endurance training response (1+/-3, 6+/-1, 9+/-1, and 16+/-3% increase in VO2peak), the group with the lowest response to endurance training increased VO2peak after the resistance training intervention (DeltaVO2peak 7+/-5%, P<0.001). The individual responsiveness of VO2peak to exercise training is related to the mode of training. The healthy males and females whose training response is low after endurance training seem to result in a marked improvement in their cardiorespiratory fitness by resistance training.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Physiological background of the loss of fractal heart rate dynamics.

BACKGROUND: Altered fractal heart rate (HR) dynamics occur during various disease states, but the physiological background of abnormal fractal HR behavior is not well known. We tested the hypothesis that the fractal organization of human HR dynamics is determined by the balance between sympathetic and vagal outflow. METHODS AND RESULTS: A short-term fractal scaling exponent (alpha1) of HR dynamics, analyzed by the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) method, and the high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) spectral components of R-R intervals (0.15 to 0.4 Hz; n=13), along with muscle sympathetic nervous activity (MSNA) from the peroneus nerve (n=11), were assessed at rest and during cold face and cold hand immersion in healthy subjects. During cold face immersion, HF power increased (from 6.9+/-1.3 to 7.6+/-1.2 ln ms2, P<0.01), as did MSNA (from 32+/-17 to 44+/-14 bursts/100 heartbeats, P<0.001), and LF/HF ratio decreased (P<0.01). Cold hand immersion resulted in a similar increase in MSNA (from 34+/-17 to 52+/-19 bursts/100 heartbeats, P<0.001) but a decrease in HF spectral power (from 7.0+/-1.3 to 6.5+/-1.1 ln ms2, P<0.05) and an increase in the LF/HF ratio (P<0.05). The fractal scaling index alpha1 decreased in all subjects (from 0.85+/-0.27 to 0.67+/-0.30, P<0.0001) during cold face immersion but increased during cold hand immersion (from 0.77+/-0.22 to 0.97+/-0.20, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The fractal organization of human HR dynamics is determined by a delicate interplay between sympathetic and vagal outflow, with the breakdown of fractal HR behavior toward more random dynamics occurring during coactivation of sympathetic and vagal outflow.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Prediction of sudden cardiac death after acute myocardial infarction: role of Holter monitoring in the modern treatment era.

AIMS: Current treatment may have changed the risk profiles of survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We evaluated the utility of Holter-based risk variables in the prediction of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among survivors of AMI treated with modern therapy. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 2130 AMI patients (mean age 59 +/- 10 years) were included. The patients were treated with modern therapeutic strategies, for example, 94% were on beta-blocking therapy and 70% underwent coronary revascularization. Various risk parameters from Holter monitoring were analysed. During a median follow-up of 1012 days (interquartile range: 750-1416 days), cardiac mortality was 113/2130, including 52 SCDs. All Holter variables predicted the occurrence of SCD (P<0.01), but only reduced post-ectopic turbulence slope (TS) (P<0.001) and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (P<0.01) remained as marked SCD predictors after adjustment for age, diabetes, and ejection fraction (EF). In a subgroup analysis, none of the Holter variables predicted SCD among those with an EF < or = 0.35, but many variables predicted SCD among those with an EF >0.35, particularly TS (hazard ratio 5.9; 95% CI 2.9-11.7, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Among the post-AMI patients treated according to the current guidelines, the incidence of SCD is low. Various Holter variables still predict the occurrence of SCD, particularly among the patients with preserved left ventricular function.

Death, Sudden, Cardiac↗

PubMed2005

Heart rate turbulence after atrial premature beats before spontaneous onset of atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the temporal changes in vagal responses to atrial premature beats before spontaneous onset of atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND: Enhanced vagal activity plays a major role in the onset and perpetuation of experimental AF, but the role of vagal activation in the onset of clinical AF episodes is not so well established. METHODS: We calculated heart rate turbulence after atrial premature impulses occurring 0 to 60 min before the onset of AF ("prior to AF") and compared it with the hourly means of the other hours of the 24-h electrocardiogram recordings ("non-AF hours") in 39 patients with structural heart disease and 29 patients with lone AF. Traditional heart rate variability measurements and approximate entropy (ApEn) were also analyzed. RESULTS: Turbulence onset (TO) was significantly less negative during the 1 h preceding AF than during the non-AF hours (0.71 +/- 1.76 vs. -0.35 +/- 1.46, p < 0.00001). Less negative TO before AF was observed among both the patients with structural heart disease (1.16 +/- 1.73 vs. 0.07 +/- 1.23; p < 0.0001) and those with lone AF (0.17 +/- 1.67 vs. -0.85 +/- 1.56; p < 0.0001). No significant difference was seen in the turbulence slope between the two periods, and none of the traditional frequency and time domain measurements differentiated between the periods; ApEn was significantly lower before AF than during the non-AF hours (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Altered heart rate dynamics, suggesting transient enhancement of vagal outflow after premature atrial excitation, are temporally related to spontaneous onset of clinical AF.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Changes in cardiovascular autonomic regulation among elderly subjects: follow-up of sixteen years.

BACKGROUND: Previous cross-sectional studies have suggested that cardiac autonomic regulation, measured as heart rate (HR) variability, is altered upon ageing, and that altered HR variability may predict mortality. However, there are no longitudinal follow-up reports of the changes of HR dynamics in elderly subjects. AIM & METHOD: This study was designed to examine the longitudinal changes in the spectral, fractal, and complexity measures of HR variability in a random sample of 41 elderly subjects (mean age 69+/-4 years), who underwent repeated 24-hour Holter recordings at the baseline and after 16 years' follow-up. Several cardiovascular risk factors were determined at the baseline. RESULTS: A time-domain index, standard deviation of N-N intervals (SDNN) (142+/-34 msec versus 133+/-50 msec, not significant (NS)), and the high frequency spectral component of HR variability (219+/-222 msec(2)versus 268+/-287 msec(2), NS) did not change during the follow-up. The low frequency power (LF) of HR variability decreased from 678+/-654 msec(2) to 436+/-651 msec(2) (P<0.01). Among the fractal HR variability indexes, the power-law slope (ss) (-1.31+/-0.20 versus -1.47+/-0.21, P<0.001) and the short-term fractal exponent a1 (1.16+/-0.19 versus 1.06+/-0.18, P<0.01) decreased significantly. Approximate entropy remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of total HR variability and the respiratory vagal modulation of HR do not change over time in the elderly. However, the spectral and fractal characteristics of HR behavior still undergo alterations upon ageing.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Effects of sustained insulin-induced hypoglycemia on cardiovascular autonomic regulation in type 1 diabetes.

Effects of hypoglycemia on cardiac autonomic regulation may contribute to the occurrence of adverse cardiac events. This study assessed the effects of sustained hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia on cardiovascular autonomic regulation in type 1 diabetic patients and their nondiabetic counterparts. The study consisted of 16 type 1 diabetic patients and 8 age-matched healthy control subjects who underwent euglycemic and hypoglycemic clamp procedures in a random order. Heart rate variability was measured from continuous electrocardiogram recordings by time and frequency domain methods, along with Poincare plot analysis during both a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic and hypoglycemic clamp at three different glucose levels (4.5-5.5, 3.0-3.5, and 2.0-2.5 mmol/l). Controlled hypoglycemia resulted in an increase of supine heart rate in both the diabetic patients (from 72 +/- 9 to 80 +/- 11 bpm, P < 0.01) and the control subjects (from 59 +/- 5 to 65 +/- 5 bpm, P < 0.05) and progressive reductions of the high-frequency spectral component and beat-to-beat heart rate variability (SD1; P < 0.05 in the diabetic patients and P < 0.01 in control subjects). No significant changes in heart rate variability occurred during the euglycemic clamp. We conclude that hypoglycemia results in a reduction of cardiac vagal outflow in both diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Altered autonomic regulation may contribute to the occurrence of cardiac events during hypoglycemia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Feedback effects of circulating norepinephrine on sympathetic outflow in healthy subjects.

The amplitude of low-frequency (LF) oscillations of heart rate (HR) usually reflects the magnitude of sympathetic activity, but during some conditions, e.g., physical exercise, high sympathetic activity results in a paradoxical decrease of LF oscillations of HR. We tested the hypothesis that this phenomenon may result from a feedback inhibition of sympathetic outflow caused by circulating norepinephrine (NE). A physiological dose of NE (100 ng.kg(-1).min(-1)) was infused into eight healthy subjects, and infusion was continued after alpha-adrenergic blockade [with phentolamine (Phe)]. Muscle sympathetic nervous activity (MSNA) from the peroneal nerve, LF (0.04-0.15 Hz) and high frequency (HF; 0.15-0.40 Hz) spectral components of HR variability, and systolic blood pressure variability were analyzed at baseline, during NE infusion, and during NE infusion after Phe administration. The NE infusion increased the mean blood pressure and decreased the average HR (P < 0.01 for both). MSNA (10 +/- 2 vs. 2 +/- 1 bursts/min, P < 0.01), LF oscillations of HR (43 +/- 13 vs. 35 +/- 13 normalized units, P < 0.05), and systolic blood pressure (3.1 +/- 2.3 vs. 2.0 +/- 1.1 mmHg2, P < 0.05) decreased significantly during the NE infusion. During the NE infusion after PHE, average HR and mean blood pressure returned to baseline levels. However, MSNA (4 +/- 2 bursts/min), LF power of HR (33 +/- 9 normalized units), and systolic blood pressure variability (1.7 +/- 1.1 mmHg2) remained significantly (P < 0.05 for all) below baseline values. Baroreflex gain did not change significantly during the interventions. Elevated levels of circulating NE cause a feedback inhibition on sympathetic outflow in healthy subjects. These inhibitory effects do not seem to be mediated by pressor effects on the baroreflex loop but perhaps by a presynaptic autoregulatory feedback mechanism or some other mechanism that is not prevented by a nonselective alpha-adrenergic blockade.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Saturation of high-frequency oscillations of R-R intervals in healthy subjects and patients after acute myocardial infarction during ambulatory conditions.

This study was designed to assess the relationship between R-R interval length and heart rate (HR) variability in healthy subjects and patients after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory ECG recordings were obtained for 76 healthy subjects and 82 post-AMI patients. The high-frequency (HF, 0.15-0.4 Hz) spectral power of R-R intervals was analyzed in 5-min sequences over 24 h and plotted as a function of the corresponding mean R-R interval length. Quadratic regression model was used to study the relationship between R-R interval length and HF power. If a distinct deflection point (R-R0) occurred in the quadratic regression (r >0.50) model before maximum R-R interval, indicating the plateau of HF power, the relationship between R-R interval and HF power was defined as saturated. Otherwise, the relationship was defined as linear (r >0.50) or low correlated (r >0.50). The relationship was saturated in 35, linear in 38, and low correlated in 3 healthy subjects. In post-AMI patients, the relationship was saturated in 9 subjects, linear in 44 subjects, and low correlated in 29 patients. The HF power analyzed from the 24-h period did not differ between the saturated and linear groups, but when analyzed from the linear portion only, HF spectral power was smaller in the linear than the saturated group both among healthy subjects (P <0.05) and post-AMI patients (P <0.05). Saturation of the HF oscillations of R-R intervals is a common phenomenon in healthy subjects and also present in post-AMI patients during ambulatory conditions. This saturation effect may bias the quantification of cardiac vagal function when HR variability is analyzed from Holter recordings.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Heart rate dynamics after controlled training followed by a home-based exercise program.

Daily aerobic training results in autonomic control of the heart toward vagal dominance. The constancy of vagal dominance after controlled training followed by a home-based training program in accordance with contemporary guidelines is not known. We set out here to study whether the vagal dominance induced by 8 weeks of controlled aerobic training is preserved after a 10-month home-based training program. For the controlled study, healthy men were randomized as training (n=18) and control subjects (n=6). The training was started by a supervised 8-week period with six training sessions a week [45 (15) min each] at an intensity of 70-80% of maximum heart rate, followed by a home-based training program for 10 months in accordance with the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations. Cardiovascular autonomic function was assessed by analyzing HR variability over a 24-h period and separately during the night hours (midnight-6 a.m.). Maximal running performance improved during the controlled training 16 (7)% (range 4-31%, P<0.001) and remained 8 (8)% (range -3 to 23%, P<0.001) above the baseline level after the home-based training program. At night, the vagally mediated high-frequency (HF) power of R-R intervals increased during the controlled training from 6.7 (1.3) to 7.3 (1.1) ln ms2 ( P<0.001) and remained higher than the baseline after the home-based training [7.0 (1.3) ln ms2, P<0.05]. The changes in running performance correlated with the changes in HF power at night (r=0.41, P<0.05) and over 24 h (r=0.44, P<0.05) after the home-based training program. Similarly, the changes in body mass index correlated with the changes in HF power over 24 h (r=-0.44, P<0.05) after the home-based training program. The high vagal outflow to the heart after the home-based training is associated with good physical performance and body mass control.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2004

Natriuretic peptides as predictors of non-sudden and sudden cardiac death after acute myocardial infarction in the beta-blocking era.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study tested whether the natriuretic peptides predict cardiac death among patients using beta-blocking therapy after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). BACKGROUND: Natriuretic peptides have provided prognostic information after AMI, but their predictive value has not been well established in the era of beta-blocker use. METHODS: A series of 521 patients (mean age 61 +/- 10 years) with AMI was included in the study. The end points were total mortality and non-sudden and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal atrial natriuretic propeptide (N-ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and ejection fraction (EF) were analyzed before hospital discharge. The cardiac medication was optimized (e.g., adherence to beta-blocking therapy was 97% at discharge and 95% at one year after AMI). RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 43 +/- 13 months, total mortality was 11.5% (60/521), cardiac mortality was 6.3% (33/521), and 3.1% (16/521) experienced SCD. On univariate analysis, high levels of all measured peptides and low EF predicted the occurrence of non-SCD (p < 0.001 for all). Peptides and EF also predicted the occurrence of SCD (p < 0.05), with elevated BNP (>23.0 pmol/l) being the most powerful predictor (hazard ratio [HR] 4.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4 to 13.8; p = 0.01). After adjusting for clinical variables, only elevated BNP (HR 3.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 12.3, p = 0.02) and low EF (<40%) (p = 0.03) remained as significant predictors of SCD. CONCLUSIONS: Natriuretic peptides retain their prognostic value in the beta-blocking era among survivors of AMI. Elevated BNP provides information on the risk of subsequent SCD, independent of clinical variables and left ventricular EF.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2004

Cardiovascular autonomic regulation in patients with 3243A > G mitochondrial DNA mutation.

BACKGROUND: Patients with the 3243A > G mutation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have an increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The function of the autonomic nervous system has not been evaluated in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Indices of 24-hour heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were measured in 28 patients with 3243A > G. The results were compared to controls matched with respect to age, sex, the presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and the use of cardiac medication. Conventional time and spectral domain indices and fractal correlation properties of HRV were analysed. RESULTS: In spectral analysis of HRV, the ultra-low and very-low-frequency spectral components were lower in the patients than the controls (P < 0.05 for both). Furthermore, the short-term fractal scaling exponent was lower in the patients with 3243A > G compared to the controls (1.16 +/- 0.18 versus 1.28 +/- 0.13, P < 0.01). No significant associations were found between the HRV indices and the other characteristics of the patients with 3243A > G, such as the presence of diabetes or left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular systolic function, the severity of the disease or the degree of 3243A > G heteroplasmy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with the 3243A > G mutation in mtDNA have abnormalities in the spectral and fractal characteristics of HRV suggesting altered cardiac autonomic regulation. The abnormalities are not clearly associated with clinical manifestations related to 3243A > G suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction may affect the autonomic regulatory systems more directly.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Effects and significance of premature beats on fractal correlation properties of R-R interval dynamics.

BACKGROUND: Premature beats (PBs) have been considered as artifacts producing a bias in the traditional analysis of heart rate (HR) variability. We assessed the effects and significance of PBs on fractal scaling exponents in healthy subjects and patients with a recent myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Artificial PBs were first generated into a time series of pure sinus beats in 20 healthy subjects and 20 post-AMI patients. Thereafter, a case-control approach was used to compare the prognostic significance of edited and nonedited fractal scaling exponents in a random elderly population and in a post-AMI population. Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) was used to measure the short-term (alpha1) and long-term (alpha2) fractal scaling exponents. RESULTS: Artificial PBs caused a more pronounced reduction of alpha1 value among the post-AMI patients than the healthy subjects, for example, if > 0.25% of the beats were premature a > 25% decrease in the alpha1 was observed in post-AMI patients, but 4% of the premature beats were needed to cause a 25% reduction in alpha1 in healthy subjects. Both edited (1.01 +/- 0.31 vs 1.19 +/- 0.27, P < 0.01) and unedited alpha1 (0.71 +/- 0.33 vs 0.89 +/- 0.36, P < 0.05) differed between the patients who died (n = 42) and those who survived (n = 42) after an AMI. In the general population, only unedited alpha1 differed significantly between survivors and those who died (0.96 +/- 0.19 vs 0.83 +/- 0.27, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Unedited premature beats result in an increase in the randomness of short-term R-R interval dynamics, particularly in post-AMI patients. Premature beats must not necessarily be edited when fractal analysis is used for risk stratification.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

The breakdown of fractal heart rate dynamics predicts prolonged postoperative myocardial ischemia.

UNLABELLED: Patients with myocardial ischemia after noncardiac surgery have a three- to ninefold increased risk of adverse cardiac events. In this study we tested the hypothesis that altered preoperative heart rate variability (HRV) predicts postoperative prolonged myocardial ischemia (>10 min) in elderly surgical patients. Thirty-two patients, age 60 yr or older, admitted to hospital for surgical repair of a traumatic hip fracture with preoperative night and daytime Holter recordings were included. Holter monitoring was initiated at arrival at hospital and continued until the third postoperative morning. Conventional HRV measures along with analysis of short-term fractal scaling exponent (alpha(1)) of RR intervals were assessed for night (from 2 AM to 5 AM) and day (7 AM to 12 AM) periods in each patient. Preoperative alpha(1) was significantly lower (i.e., increased randomness in HRV) during the nighttime compared with daytime (mean +/- SEM; 0.92 +/- 0.08 versus 1.03 +/- 0.06; P = 0.002) in patients with postoperative myocardial ischemia. Patients without ischemia had no such difference. In stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased preoperative night-day difference of alpha(1) was the only independent predictor of postoperative prolonged ischemia. The odds ratio for an increase of 0.16 U in night-day difference of alpha(1) (corresponding to interquartile range) was 7.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-51.4; P = 0.0018). Breakdown of fractal-like heart rate dynamics is predictive for postoperative prolonged myocardial ischemia in elderly patients having emergency surgery for traumatic hip fracture. IMPLICATIONS: Night and daytime Holter recordings before surgical repair of traumatic hip fracture were analyzed with linear and nonlinear heart rate variability methods. Preoperatively increased randomness in heart rate variability was predictive for postoperative, silent prolonged myocardial ischemia. Prolonged myocardial ischemia increases the risk for adverse cardiac events.

Aged↗