Geometric index of heart rate variability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

BackgroundIt was already evidenced decreased heart rate variability (HRV) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients at rest. ObjectiveIn order to insert new elements in the literature regarding this issue, we evaluated geometric index of HRV in COPD subjects. MethodWe analyzed data from 34 volunteers, divided into two groups according to spirometric values: COPD (17 volunteers, FEV1/FVC=47.3±10.2; FEV1=50.8±15.7) and control (17 volunteers, FEV1/FVC=78.8±10.8; FEV1=100.1±14.7). For analysis of HRV indexes the volunteers remained in the supine position for 30minutes. We analyzed the following indexes: triangular index (RRtri), triangular interpolation of RR intervals (TINN) and Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2 and SD1/SD2). Student's t-test for unpaired samples and Mann–Whitney test were used for data analysis. ResultsWe observed statistically significant reductions in geometric indexes in the COPD group: RRtri (0.043±0.01 vs. 0.059±0.02; p=0.018), TINN (105.88±51.82 vs. 151.47±49.9; p=0.014), SD1 (9.76±4.66 vs. 14.55±6.04; p=0.014) and SD2 (34.86±17.02 vs. 51.51±18.38; p=0.010). SD1/SD2 (0.30±0.11 vs. 0.28±0.07; p=0.605) were not significantly different between groups. Patients with COPD presented a visual analysis of Poincaré plot of lower dispersion of RR intervals both beat-to-beat and the long-term. ConclusionSubjects with COPD present reduction of geometric indexes of HRV, indicating reduced heart rate variability.