The role of revascularization on short-term Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Signal Averaged Electrocardiogram (SAECG) in Stable Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Abstract

Background: Revascularization in patients with stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) can reduce myocardial ischemia and improves the autonomic nervous system, which can be measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG). This study aimed to investigate the effect of revascularization on HRV and SAECG in patients with SCAD. Methods: This is a single-center prospective cohort study. Revascularization refers to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The primary outcome of this study is the change in short-term HRV and SAECG from before revascularization to after revascularization. HRV and SAECG measurement was performed for 10 minutes before PCI and one-month post-PCI. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 for Windows. Results: There are 30 patients included in this study, and 46.7% underwent incomplete PCI. There was no significant difference in HRV parameters in the time domain method. In the frequency domain, only the LF/HF ratio changed significantly from 3.5±2.6 before PCI to 2.16±1.9 after PCI, with a 1.33 decrease in LF/HF (p=0.007). Subgroup analysis was performed for patients receiving complete and incomplete revascularization. In patients who received complete revascularization, there was a significant difference in LF/HF ratio change of 1.6±2.28 (p=0.013). In patients that receive incomplete revascularization, there is a significant increase in HF 37.8±57.3 (p=0,028). In terms of SAECG parameters, there is no significant difference between before and after PCI in both primary and subgroup analysis. Conclusion: Revascularization resulted in a significant reduction in LF/HF ratio assessed by short-term HRV. There was no benefit of revascularization in terms of SAECG parameters.