Turbulence Slope (turbulence + slope)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Novel Measures of Heart Rate Variability Predict Cardiovascular Mortality in Older Adults Independent of Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS)

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2008
PHYLLIS K. STEIN Ph.D.
Background: It is unknown whether abnormal heart rate turbulence (HRT) and abnormal fractal properties of heart rate variability identify older adults at increased risk of cardiovascular death (CVdth). Methods: Data from 1,172 community-dwelling adults, ages 72 ± 5 (65,93) years, who participated in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a study of risk factors for CV disease in people ,65 years. HRT and the short-term fractal scaling exponent (DFA1) derived from 24-hour Holter recordings. HRT categorized as: normal (turbulence slope [TS] and turbulence onset [TO] normal) or abnormal (TS and/or TO abnormal). DFA1 categorized as low (,1) or high (>1). Cox regression analyses stratified by Framingham Risk Score (FRS) strata (low = <10, mid = 10,20, and high >20) and adjusted for prevalent clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and quartiles of ventricular premature beat counts (VPCs). Results: CVdths (N = 172) occurred over a median follow-up of 12.3 years. Within each FRS stratum, low DFA1 + abnormal HRT predicted risk of CVdth (RR = 7.7 for low FRS; 3.6, mid FRS; 2.8, high FRS). Among high FRS stratum participants, low DFA1 alone also predicted CVdth (RR = 2.0). VPCs in the highest quartile predicted CVdth, but only in the high FRS group. Clinical CV disease predicted CVdth at each FRS stratum (RR = 2.9, low; 2.6, mid; and 1.9, high). Diabetes predicted CVdth in the highest FRS group only (RR = 2.2). Conclusions: The combination of low DFA1 + abnormal HRT is a strong risk factor for CVdth among older adults even after adjustment for conventional CVD risk measures and the presence of CVD. [source]


Relationship Between Heart Rate Turbulence and Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and Number of Ventricular Premature Beats in Coronary Patients

JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2004
IWONA CYGANKIEWICZ M.D., Ph.D.
Introduction: Heart rate variability (HRV) illustrates regulation of the heart by the autonomic nervous system whereas heart rate turbulence (HRT) is believed to reflect baroreflex sensitivity. The aim of this study was to determine the association between HRT and HRV parameters and the relationship between HRT parameters and heart rate and number of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) used to calculate HRT parameters. Methods and Results: In 146 patients (117 males and 29 females; mean age 62 years) with coronary artery disease, a 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring was performed to calculate mean heart rate (RR interval), number of VPBs, time- and frequency-domain HRV parameters and two HRT parameters: turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between tested parameters. Significant correlation between TS and mean RR interval was observed (r = 0.42; p < 0.001), while no association for TO vs. RR interval was found. TS values were significantly higher in patients with less than 10 VPBs/24 hours than in patients with more frequent VPBs. Significant associations between HRT and HRV parameters were found with TS showing stronger correlation with HRV parameters than TO (r value ranging from 0.35 to 0.62 for TS vs. ,0.16 to ,0.38 for TO). Conclusion: HRT parameters correlate strongly with HRV parameters indicating that HRT should be considered as a reflection of both baroreceptors response and overall autonomic tone. Heart rate dependence of turbulence slope indicates the need to adjust this parameter for heart rate. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 731-737, July 2004) [source]


Heart Rate Turbulence Impairment and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2010
PIOTR BIENIAS M.D., Ph.D.
Background:,Arrhythmias, conduction disturbances, and cardiac autonomic nervous system dysfunction are the most frequent cardiovascular complications in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). The aim of the study was to assess heart rate turbulence (HRT) in systemic sclerosis patients and to identify the relationship between HRT and occurrence of arrhythmias. Methods:,Forty-five patients with scleroderma (aged 54.6 ± 14.7 years) and 30 healthy sex- and age-matched subjects were examined. In addition to routine studies, 24-hour Holter monitoring with assessment of HRT was performed. Results:,As compared to controls, HRT was significantly impaired in systemic sclerosis patients. Abnormal HRT defined as turbulence onset (TO) ,0.0% and/or turbulence slope (TS) ,2.5 ms/RR (ms/RR interval) was found in 19 (42%) scleroderma patients and in no members of the control group. Serious ventricular arrhythmias Lown class IV (VA-LownIV), for example, couplets and/or nonsustained ventricular tachycardias, were observed in 16 (36%) scleroderma patients. The median value of TS was significantly lower in systemic sclerosis patients with VA-LownIV than in patients without VA-LownIV (3.68 vs 7.00 ms/RR, P = 0.02). The area under curve of ROC analysis for prediction of VA-LownIV was 0.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56,0.87) and revealed that TS <9.0 ms/RR was associated with VA-Lown IV occurrence, with sensitivity of 93.7% and specificity of 44.8%. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that lower values of TS were associated with VA-LownIV occurrence (odds ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.09,2.12, P = 0.01). Conclusions:,Patients with systemic sclerosis are characterized by significant HRT impairment. Assessment of HRT and especially TS is useful in the identification of patients at risk for ventricular arrhythmias. (PACE 2010; 920,928) [source]


Heart Rate Turbulence After Short Runs of Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in Chronic Heart Failure

PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
PANAYOTA FLEVARI M.D.
Background:Heart rate turbulence (HRT) following isolated premature complexes is a baroreceptor-mediated prognostic marker. Short runs of spontaneous, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (nsVT) exert a greater hemodynamic effect than extrasystoles and may trigger a more potent turbulence-like response (HRTVT), possibly related to other risk-related markers, such as heart rate variability (HRV), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and original HRT parameters (turbulence slope [TS] and turbulence onset [TO]). Methods:We studied 27 patients with heart failure (HF) and nsVT (4,7 beats) on 24-hour Holter electrocardiographic recordings (mean age 58 ± 3.6 years, EF 36%± 5.0%). Following nsVT, TSVT and TOVT were measured according to the original definitions. HRV, TS, and TO were also assessed. Results:HRTVT parameters were related to HRV. A significant relation existed between TSVT and EF (r= 0.66, P < 0.05). HRTVT parameters were related to the originally described (TS and TO), whereas TOVT was higher than TO (1.63 ± 1.6 vs ,1.7 ± 0.65, P < 0.05). Conclusions:In mild-to-moderate HF, turbulence is observed following short nsVT runs and is related to prognostically important HRV indexes and EF. HRTVT is similar to HRT but TOVT is shifted toward more positive values than TO. HRTVT might be prognostically significant. [source]


Heart Rate Turbulence for Prediction of Heart Transplantation and Mortality in Chronic Heart Failure

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Beata Sredniawa M.D.
Background: Previous studies have shown conflicting results about the value of heart rate turbulence (HRT) for risk stratification of patients (pts) with chronic heart failure (CHF). We prospectively evaluated the relation between HRT and progression toward end-stage heart failure or all-cause mortality in patients with CHF. Methods: HRT was assessed from 24-hour Holter recordings in 110 pts with CHF (54 in NYHA class II, 56 in class III,IV; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 30%± 10%) on optimal pharmacotherapy and quantified as turbulence onset (TO,%), turbulence slope (TS, ms/RR interval), and turbulence timing (beginning of RR sequence for calculation of TS, TT). TO , 0%, TS , 2.5 ms/RR, and TT >10 were considered abnormal. End point was development of end-stage CHF requiring heart transplantation (OHT) or all-cause mortality. Results: During a follow-up of 5.8 ± 1.3 years, 24 pts died and 10 required OHT. TO, TS, TT, and both (TO and TS) were abnormal in 35%, 50%, 30%, and 25% of all patients, respectively. Patients with at least one relatively preserved HRT parameter (TO, TS, or TT) (n = 98) had 5-year event-free rate of 83% compared to 33% of those in whom all three parameters were abnormal (n = 12). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, the most powerful predictor of end point events was heart rate variability (SDNN < 70 ms, hazard ratio (HR) 9.41, P < 0.001), followed by LVEF , 35% (HR 6.23), TT , 10 (HR 3.14), and TO , 0 (HR 2.54, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with CHF on optimal pharmacotherapy, HRT can help to predict those at risk for progression toward OHT or death of all causes. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(3):230,237 [source]


Predictors of Long-Term Risk for Heart Failure Hospitalization after Acute Myocardial Infarction

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
Juha S. Perkiömäki M.D.
Background: Data on the value of baseline brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and autonomic markers in predicting heart failure (HF) hospitalization after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are limited. Methods: A consecutive series of patients with AMI without a previous history of HF (n = 569) were followed up for 8 years. At baseline, the patients had a blood sample for determination of BNP, a 24-hour Holter recording for evaluating heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT), and an assessment of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) using phenylephrine test. Results: During the follow-up, 79 (14%) patients were hospitalized due to HF. Increased baseline BNP, decreased HRV, HRT, and BRS had a significant association with HF hospitalization in univariate comparisons (P < 0.001 for all). After adjusting with all the relevant clinical parameters, BNP, HRV, and HRT still significantly predicted HF hospitalization (P < 0.001 for BNP and for the short-term scaling exponent ,1, P < 0.01 for turbulence slope). In the receiver operator characteristics curve analysis, the area under the curve for BNP was 0.77, for the short-term scaling exponent ,1 0.69, for turbulence slope 0.71, and for BNP/standard deviation of all N-N intervals ratio 0.80. Conclusion: Baseline increased BNP and impaired autonomic function after AMI yield significant information on the long-term risk for HF hospitalization. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(3):250,258 [source]


Influence of Heavy Cigarette Smoking on Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate Turbulence Parameters

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Goksel Cagirci M.D.
Background: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular events related with several mechanisms. The most suggested mechanism is increased activity of sympathetic nervous system. Heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT) has been shown to be independent and powerful predictors of mortality in a specific group of cardiac patients. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of heavy cigarette smoking on cardiac autonomic function using HRV and HRT analyses. Methods: Heavy cigarette smoking was defined as more than 20 cigarettes smoked per day. Heavy cigarette smokers, 69 subjects and nonsmokers 74 subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study. HRV and HRT analyses [turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS)] were assessed from 24-hour Holter recordings. Results: The values of TO were significantly higher in heavy cigarette smokers than control group (,1.150 ± 4.007 vs ,2.454 ± 2.796, P = 0.025, respectively), but values of TS were not statistically different between two groups (10.352 ± 7.670 vs 9.613 ± 7.245, P = 0.555, respectively). Also, the number of patients who had abnormal TO was significantly higher in heavy cigarette smokers than control group (23 vs 10, P = 0.006). TO was correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (r = 0.235, P = 0.004). While LF and LF/HF ratio were significantly higher, standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), standard deviation of the 5-minute mean RR intervals (SDANN), root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and high-frequency (HF) values were significantly lower in heavy smokers. While, there was significant correlation between TO and SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, LF, and high frequency (HF), only HF was correlated with TS. Conclusion: Heavy cigarette smoking has negative effect on autonomic function. HRT is an appropriate noninvasive method to evaluate the effect of cigarette on autonomic function. Simultaneous abnormal HRT and HRV values may explain increased cardiovascular event risk in heavy cigarette smokers. [source]


Impact of Preceding Ventricular Premature Beats on Heart Rate Turbulence

ANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009
Hung Yi Chen M.D.
Background: Heart rate turbulence (HRT) has recently been introduced as a noninvasive tool for studying autonomic dysfunction. It presented short time fluctuation of sinus cycle length following single ventricular premature contraction (VPC). However, HRT parameters may be influenced by different factors. This study aimed to evaluate the possible influence of VPC frequency on HRT. Methods: 24-h Holter recording was performed in patients with VPCs initially detected by 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) in the outpatient department. The numbers of VPCs in 2- and 5-minute durations preceding each VPC tachogram were calculated. The HRT parameters and the numbers of the VPCs preceding VPC tachograms were analyzed. Results: There were 23,122 available VPC tachograms from 107 healthy subjects included in the study. The turbulence onset (TO) value increased and the turbulence slope (TS) value decreased as VPC's frequency increased. The TO values rapidly increased when the number of VPCs was >15 beats in the 2-minute and >35 beats in the 5-minute durations. There was also a prominent decrease in TS values when the VPCs reached 14 and 30 beats in the 2- and 5-minute durations, respectively. Conclusion: Physiologic baroreflex may be attenuated under intensive stimulation, which is evidenced by blunted HRT parameters by frequent VPCs. Physiologic response to VPC's frequency may be related to baroreflex fatigue and is demonstrated as a sigmoid curve. [source]


EFFECT OF BENAZEPRIL ON HEART RATE TURBULENCE IN PATIENTS WITH DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2007
Jiang-Hua Zhong
SUMMARY 1Heart rate (HR) turbulence describes short-term sinus rhythmic fluctuation after a single premature ventricular beat. Turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) are two essential parameters in HR turbulence. Turbulence onset and TS have been used to evaluate cardiac autonomic nerve function. 2In the present study, we measured the HR turbulence in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and determined the possible role of benazepril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), on these parameters. There were three groups: control, DCM and DCM treated with benazepril. The control group consisted of normal subjects with PVB, but no structural heart disease. Ambulatory electrocardiogram, blood pressure and echocardiography were analysed. 3There was an increase in TO and a decrease in TS in DCM patients. Benazepril treatment (10 mg/day, p.o.) reduced those changes. There were no significant differences in blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between DCM patients and DCM patients treated with benazepril. 4Linear regression analysis showed that TO was negatively correlated with LVEF, whereas TS was positively correlated with LVEF, in the DCM group. After benazepril treatment, the correlations between TO and TS and LVEF disappeared. 5It is concluded that the TO and TS of HR turbulence are altered in patients with DCM. These alterations indicate a dysfunction of the autonomic control of cardiac electrophysiology in DCM patients. Although TO and TS are correlated with LVEF in DCM patients, the effect of benazepril in improving HR turbulence parameters is not a result of its action on heart function, which suggests a new beneficial effect of ACEI in the treatment of DCM patients. [source]