DFA, a Biomedical Checking Tool for the Heart Control System

Abstract

AbstractWe made our own detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) program. We applied it to the cardio-vascular system for checking characteristics of the heartbeat of various individuals. Healthy subjects showed a normal scaling exponent, which is near 1.0. This is in agreement with the original report by Peng et al. published in 1990s. We found that the healthy exponents span from 0.9 to 1.19 in our temporary guideline based on our own experiments. In the present study, we investigated the persons who have an extra-systole heartbeat, so called as premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and revealed that their arrhythmic heartbeat exhibited a low scaling exponent approaching to 0.7 with no exceptions. In addition, alternans, which is the heartbeats in period-2 rhythms, and which is also called as the harbinger of death, exhibited a low scaling exponent like the PVCs. We may conclude that if it would be possible to make a device that equips a DFA program, it might be useful to check the heart condition, and contribute not only in statistical physics but also in biomedical engineering and clinical practice fields; especially for health check. The device is applicable for people who are spending an ordinary life, before they get seriously heart sick.