Inverse coupling between respiratory and cardiac oscillators in a life-threatening event in a neonate

Abstract

The authors report the case of a baby boy born at a gestational age of 32weeks who experienced a life-threatening event triggered by vagal overactivity, associated with a transient phase of inverse coupling with a 1:1 phase ratio between ECG and respiration, resulting in respiratory arrest. This case report highlights the vital importance of coupling between cardiac and respiratory oscillators, especially in premature infants or neonates.