Estimating sleep disordered breathing based on heart rate analysis.

Heart rate variability and the analysis of the ECG with ECG derived respiration has been used to diagnose sleep disordered breathing. Recently it was possible to distinguish obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. This can be achieved by analyzing both, heart rate variability and the more mechanically induced ECG derived respiration in parallel. In addition the analysis of cardiopulmonary coupling facilitates to predict the personal risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. The analysis of heart rate, ECG and respiration goes beyond this analysis. Some studies indicate that it is possible to derive sleep stages from these signals. In order to derive sleep stages a more complex analysis of the signals is applied taking into account non-linear properties by using methods of statistical physics. To extract coupling information supports the distinction between sleep stages. Results are reported in this review.