The peculiarities of short-term electrocardiogram heart rate variability analysis

Objective: Within the project of the development of the algorithm for human heart rate variability (HRV) analysis we assessed the HRV parameters in an epidemiologic sample of healthy subjects in order to compose the database of short-term electrocardiograms (ECG) for further mathematical analysis. Design and methods: Altogether 101 subjects underwent short-term ECG registration by a portable 12-channel monitor “Kardiotekhnika-04-3R (M)" (“Inkart", Russia) and portable cardiorespiratory polysomnographic system “Embletta Gold" (Embla, Natus, USA). A modified active orthostatic test was used and ECG was registered for 7 minutes in the sitting position (phase 1), 7 minutes - upright (phase 2) and 10 minutes - again in the sitting position (phase 3). Results. Correlation analysis showed a negative relation between age and frequency HRV indices: HF (rs = -0,239, р = 0,034), LF (rs = -0,385, р < 0,001) and VLF (rs = -0,242, р = 0,033). Subgroup analysis (in the group of students) demonstrated a positive correlation between mean sleep duration and HRV parameters: LF from the full ECG recording (rs = 0,46; p = 0,037), during phase 1 (rs = 0,52; p = 0,015) and phase 2 (rs = 0,50; p = 0,021); VLF during phase 1 (rs = 0,46; p = 0,039) and phase 2 (rs = 0,55; p = 0,012) and HF during phase 2 (rs = 0,48; p = 0,027). Conclusions. While analyzing HRV additional parameters, such as sleep duration and quality before the study, should be considered along with the standard clinical and demographical indices. A modified active orthostatic test is characterized by the decrease of high-frequency spectrum and increased LF/HF ratio reflecting the elevated sympathetic activity. Increasing age is associated with the decrease of high frequency HTV indices.

вариабельность ритма сердца, высокочастотный спектр, продолжительность сна, короткие записи электрокардиограммы, heart rate variability, high frequency spectrum, sleep duration, short-term electrocardiogram

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