Abstract
BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal tumors with the high morbidity and mortality, affecting the quality of human life. This study aimed to identify the role of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with GC.MethodsFrom January 2010 to June 2014, 383 consecutive patients diagnosed with GC were enrolled in this study. Clinical and pathological information from each patient were retrospectively recorded. HRV, including standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), were measured by electrocardiography.ResultsThe results showed that the SDNN and RMSSD in GC patients were 19.02 ± 13.58 ms and 21.64 ± 17.57 ms, respectively. HRV decreased with advanced clinical stage (P < 0.0001). HRV correlated with tumor size, tumor infiltration, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis (P < 0.001); however, no correlation with tumor site and metastasis severity was found (P > 0.05). C-reactive protein (CRP) was higher in the low HRV group than that in high HRV group (P = 0.008).ConclusionsGC patients showed a lower HRV that was correlated with tumor stage. HRV decreased with tumor progression, which may be related to a mechanism involving vagal nerve excitement inhibiting the inflammatory reaction.
Highlights
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal tumors with the high morbidity and mortality, affecting the quality of human life
If a standard deviation of normal-to-normal RR intervals (SDNN) of 20 ms was chosen as the threshold, low heart rate variability (HRV) (SDNN < 20 ms) significantly correlated with tumor size, T stage, and lymph node involvement (Table 3, P < 0.0001). These results indicated that HRV decreased significantly as the cancer advanced, and HRV in GC patients was significantly correlated with clinical stage and the presence or absence of lymphatic/distant metastasis
The present study focused on changes of SDNN and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) in GC patients at different stages to explore the prognostic role of HRV
Summary
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal tumors with the high morbidity and mortality, affecting the quality of human life. This study aimed to identify the role of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with GC. GC incidence is high in China, with an occurrence rate of approximately 20 per 100,000 persons, accounting for half of all the GC cases globally [2]. It ranks second in mortality rate among all the common cancers [3]. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a parameter measuring the time variation of the sinus rhythm, reflecting the regulatory effects of the nervous system and humoral factors on the sinoatrial node [4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
