title: Spectral analysis of heart rate in diabetic autonomic neuropathy. A comparison with standard tests of autonomic function.
abstract: Power spectral analysis of the heart rate was compared with standard tests of autonomic function performed on 15 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. The high-frequency power, low-frequency power, and total power of the heart rate power spectrum measured in the supine position--possible measures of parasympathetic nervous system function--were significant predictors of the expiratory-inspiratory ratio, the beat-to-beat heart rate difference on deep respiration, the standard deviation of the resting heart rate, the 30:15 ratio, and the Valsalva ratio. The change in low-frequency power on moving from the supine to upright position, a possible measure of sympathetic nervous system function, was a modest predictor of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure fall in response to postural change, but a poor predictor of the blood pressure response to isometric exercise and a cold stimulus. This study supports the role of heart rate power spectral analysis as a clinical test of autonomic function in patients with known or suspected autonomic failure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Saul
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Broadbridge
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013057:Spectrum Analysis