title: Cardiovascular fluctuations and transfer function analysis in stable preterm infants.
abstract: To examine the baroreceptor reflex function, a beat-to-beat analysis between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and R-R interval fluctuations was studied in 10 stable appropriate-for-gestational age preterm infants (range, 27.2-33.7 wk) in the first postnatal week during quiet sleep. Spectral power analysis, using fast Fourier transform, and transfer functions (gain and phase difference) between SBP and R-R fluctuations were estimated in a low-frequency band (LF, 0.03-0.2 Hz) and high-frequency band (HF defined as the frequency band between the 10th and 90th centiles of the individual respiratory frequency). The LF/HF ratio reflects the sympathovagal balance. The mean frequency (+/-SD) of LF peaks was centered at 0.07 +/- 0.02 Hz. The mean frequency (+/-SD) of the individual HF band was 0.82 +/- 0.21 Hz. The LF/HF ratio in the R-R interval series [median, 29; interquartile range (IQR), 16-40] was higher than in the SBP series (median, 8; IQR, 4-14). The gain between R-R interval and SBP fluctuations (median, 4.2 ms/mm Hg; IQR, 2.4-5.0) in the LF band was higher than in the HF band (median, 1.7 ms/mm Hg; IQR, 1.4-3.0). SBP fluctuations lead R-R interval fluctuations in the LF band with a median phase difference of +96 degrees (IQR, 67-132). At LF the fluctuations in SBP precede changes in R-R interval with a time delay of 3.8 s. These observations indicate a dominant role of the sympathetic system in stable preterm infants in comparison with published adult values. Cross-spectral analysis allows a test for tracking the development of the sympathetic system in neonates.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Máxima Medical Center, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. pandriessen@sjz.nl
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Andriessen
authors.forename: Andre M P
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Koolen
authors.forename: Ralph C M
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Berendsen
authors.forename: Pieter F F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Wijn
authors.forename: Edith D M
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: ten Broeke
authors.forename: S Guid
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: Carlos E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Blanco
mesh_terms: D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000502:physiology*