High-resolution heart rate variability analysis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The paper describes the features of heart rate variability in COPD. 58 male patients with COPD and 38 participants without COPD, aged 45 to 74, were enrolled in the study. Rhythmocardiography was performed in order to assess heart rate variability in all the participants enrolled in the study. We analyzed the following parameters of heart rate variability: RR, SDNN, ARA, σm, σs, σl, VLF%, LF%, and HF% in patients with and without COPD. Reduction of heart rate variability (SDNN), predominance of humoral-metabolic regulation of pacemaker activity of the sinus node (this regulation factor makes a minimum contribution in healthy individuals) were found in COPD compared to participants without COPD. We detected very low frequency waves with upward deviation from the main RCG waves corresponding to the bronchial obstructive syndrome in patients with COPD. We also analyzed the heart rate variability parameters of patients with COPD within the group. Heart rate variability changes were more severe in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Segments of the rhythmocardiogram with identical R-R intervals can be detected in patients with pulmonary hypertension.