title: Effects of beta-blockade with bisoprolol on heart rate variability in advanced heart failure: analysis of scatterplots of R-R intervals at selected heart rates.
abstract: The effect of beta-blockade on heart-rate variability was assessed at different heart rates in 52 patients with heart failure included in the randomized, placebo-controlled, Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study (CIBIS). Scatterplots of R-R intervals display beat-to-beat variability by plotting each R-R interval against the preceding interval. Scatterplot dispersion at different R-R intervals provides a measure of beat-to-beat heart-rate variability at different heart rates. A 24-hour Holter tape was performed at baseline and after 2 months of treatment with bisoprolol or matched placebo. Geometric measurements of scatterplots were used to determine beat-to-beat dispersion for different R-R intervals. Bisoprolol and placebo groups were well matched at base-line. After 2 months of treatment, bisoprolol significantly increased beat-to-beat variability at the longest R-R intervals (p < 0.05); however, there was no change in scatterplot dispersion at the shortest R-R intervals. This suggests that beta-blockade increases parasympathetic or decreases sympathetic tone or both in heart failure patients only at the slowest heart rates.
authors.affiliation: Broussais Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Paris, France. Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Copie
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pousset
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lechat
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jaillon
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guize
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Le Heuzey
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017298:Bisoprolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013565:Sympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013565:Sympatholytics; D017298:Bisoprolol