Complex autonomic dysfunction in cardiovascular, intensive care, and schizophrenic patients assessed by autonomic information flow.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
The cardiovascular control system is mediated by mechanisms acting at different time scales, such as heart period, vagal, sympathetic, and other slower controllers. Since these elements are interrelated in a complex manner, classical control theory fails and information-based description, based on autonomic information flow (AIF) functions, is appropriate. We investigated the hypothesis that AIF functions of typical time scales specifically characterize autonomic dysfunction and prognosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Holter recordings of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (26 survivors, 10 non-survivors), heart failure (13 low risk, 13 high risk of cardiac arrest), idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) (26 low risk, 11 high risk), after abdominal aorta surgery (AAS) [32 with length of stay in hospital (LOS) >7 days; 62 with LOS < or =7 days] or with schizophrenia (n=20) were assessed and compared to 20 control subjects.

RESULTS:
We found different AIF time scales discriminating risk. AIF measures of heart beat period had predominant prognostic value in heart failure patients, those of vagal communication in MODS and IDC, and those of long-term communication after AAS. Schizophrenic patients were discriminated from controls by vagally mediated communication.

CONCLUSION:
Different time scales of AIF represent specific pathophysiological aspects of altered complex autonomic control (communication) and consequently have predictive implications.

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Author information

Author/s: Hoyer, Dirk (D); Frank, Birgit (B); Götze, Christine (C); Schmidt, Hendrik (H); Baranowski, Rafal (R); Zebrowski, Jan J (JJ); Vallverdú, Montserrat (M); Caminal, Pere (P); Bayés De Luna, Antonio (A); Falkenhahn, Kathrin (K); Bär, Karl-Jürgen (KJ); Stein, Phyllis K (PK);

Affiliation: Biomagnetic Center, Department of Neurology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany. dirk.hoyer(-atsign-)biomag.uni-jena.de

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Biomedizinische Technik. Biomedical engineering (Biomed Tech (Berl)), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-; vol 51 (issue 4) : pp 182-5

Dates: Created 2006/10/25; Completed 2006/12/26; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 17061934, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology
Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - complications; diagnosis; physiopathology
Biological Clocks
Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted - methods
Electrocardiography - methods
Heart Failure - complications; diagnosis; physiopathology
Heart Rate

Heart Rate
Humans
Information Storage and Retrieval - methods
Intensive Care
Male
Multiple Organ Failure - complications; diagnosis; physiopathology
Schizophrenia - complications; diagnosis; physiopathology

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