Comparison of Heart Rate Variability Parameters to the Autonomic Reflex Screen in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension.

PURPOSE: The clinical significance of heart rate variability (HRV) in the context of autonomic dysfunction continues to be a matter of debate. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the clinical relevance of HRV in the context of autonomic dysfunction.

METHODS

Heart rate variability data from 225 volunteers consisting of controls (n = 166) and patients with mild (n = 25) and severe (n = 34) autonomic dysfunction were retrospectively analyzed. Time and frequency parameters were correlated against baseline and standardized tests of autonomic function.

RESULTS

During baseline, resting HR was negatively correlated with time (SD of all normal RR interval, r = -0.511; RMSSD, r = -0.585; pNN50, r = -0.545) and frequency (low-frequency, r = -0.362; high-frequency, r = -0.421) parameters (P < 0.01). Resting systolic blood pressure demonstrated similar significant correlations (P < 0.01). During head-up tilt, SD of all normal RR intervals was positively correlated with [INCREMENT]HR and change in systolic blood pressure (r = 0.340; r = 0.538, respectively; P < 0.01). Similarly, low-frequency, high-frequency, and low-frequency/high-frequency ratios were correlated with [INCREMENT]HR (r = 0.422, r = 0.176, r = 0.470) and change in systolic blood pressure (r = 0.451, r = 0.407, and r = 0.185) (P < 0.01). Time parameters (SD of all normal RR intervals, RMSSD, and pNN50) were all significantly correlated with deep breathing (r = 0.600; r = 0.556; r = 0.516; P < 0.01, respectively). Low-frequency and high-frequency power were also correlated (r = 0.596; r = 0.580, respectively) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Time and frequency parameters showed significant negative correlations with baseline hemodynamics. During a test of sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal, this relationship shifted to reveal significant positive correlations between HRV parameters and hemodynamics. Last, during a test of parasympathetic activation, there were significant positive correlations with cardiovagally mediated HRV parameters. Overall, these results suggest broader clinical relevance for HRV parameters within the spectrum of autonomic functioning.