Abstract
The purpose of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of an ectopic beat on heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain, frequency domain, and in a non-linear analysis. A quantitative analysis was carried out by generating artificial ectopic beats that probabilistically contained a missed beat or a false-detected beat, and the statistical significance was evaluated though a comparison with an ectopic-free HRV by increasing the ratio of the ectopic beat in 0.1% increments from 0 to 50%. The effect of the interpolation on the ectopic HRV was also investigated by applying nearest-neighbor interpolation, linear interpolation, and cubic spline interpolation. The results confirmed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) even in the less-than-1% ectopic HRV in every domain. When interpolation was applied, there were differences according to the interpolation method used, but statistical significance was secured for an ectopic beat ratio from 1 to 2% to several tens of a percent. In the effect, linear interpolation, and spline interpolation were confirmed to have a higher effect on the high-frequency related HRV variables, and nearest-neighbor interpolation had a higher effect on low-frequency related variables.
Highlights
Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the mathematical analysis of changes in the interbeat interval (IBI) of the heart, and this technique can be used to back track autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity (Taskforce, 1996)
Since these ectopic beats are caused by abnormalities in cardiac conduction rather than as the effects of the autonomic nervous system, the results for HRV in assessments of ANS can be distorted if the heart beat variability is analyzed without removing ectopic beats (Taskforce, 1996)
The variables for long-term HRV monitoring, such as the mean of the 5-min standard deviation of the NN interval (SDNN index) and standard deviation of average NN intervals (SDANN) were excluded in this study as we focused on shortterm physiological activities
Summary
Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the mathematical analysis of changes in the interbeat interval (IBI) of the heart, and this technique can be used to back track autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity (Taskforce, 1996). The ectopic beat can result in a beating interval that is too short or too long, so the IBI can become too large or too small. Since these ectopic beats are caused by abnormalities in cardiac conduction rather than as the effects of the autonomic nervous system, the results for HRV in assessments of ANS can be distorted if the heart beat variability is analyzed without removing ectopic beats (Taskforce, 1996). When calculating the interval between beats, a false QRS detection appears as an ectopic beat and causes a main error in the HRV analysis of a normal person without an arrhythmia. A failure in the QRS detection can have many causes, including the use of electrosurgical instruments, powerline interference, respiration effects, electromyogram (EMG) artifacts, loose contact of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and motion artifacts (Friesen et al, 1990)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
