Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability – Normative Data

Czech version

Authors: E. Vlčková; J. Bednařík; Š. Buršová; K. Šajgalíková; L. Mlčáková
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2010; 73/106(6): 663-672
Category: Original Paper

Overview

Introduction:
Spectral analysis of heart rate variability enables the expression and quantification of regulatory influences within the cardiac autonomic nervous system. Only a few studies, however, have centred upon on the variability and reproducibility of the method, and the normal limit data recommended vary widely among the published studies. Patients and methods: Spectral analysis of heart rate variability was performed in a group of 167 healthy individuals (90 women, 77 men, median age 44 years, range 20–80) subdivided into 6 subgroups (according to respective age decades). In each of these subgroups, interindividual variability of the parameters evaluated was established and age-related normal limit data were established. In 21 of the individuals included, examination was repeated 3 to 5 times on the same day (intra-day intraindividual variability) or at about the same time on different days (inter-day intraindividual variability). Results: Low and high frequency settings showed significant negative correlation with age. Further, the ratio between them was the only parameter with significant sex-related differences (i.e. higher values in men). All the parameters evaluated exhibited high interindividual variability: coefficients of variation were similar in all age subgroups and reached values of around 100% (range 49–200%). Intraindividual variability was markedly lower, but also noteworthy. Inter-day intraindividual coefficients of variation were similar in men and women and reached the values of about 35% (range 1–100%). Even slightly higher values were found when intra-day intraindividual variability was assesed. Conclusions: Normal data for particular parameters of spectral analysis of heart rate variability should be age-stratified. Their setting, however, is complicated, among other things, by extreme interindividual variability of values, something that involves the diagnostic validity of the method in general. High intraindividual variability should also be considered, in particular, in the evaluation of possible changes between repeated examinations.

Key words:
spectral analysis of heart rate variability – normal data – intraindividual variability – interindividual variability – healthy individuals – age

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