title: A multi-scale feedback ratio analysis of heartbeat interval series in healthy vs. cardiac patients.
abstract: The second-order difference plot, as a modified Poincaré plot, is one of the important approaches for assessing the dynamics of heart rate variability. However, corresponding quantitative analysis methods are relatively limited. Based on the second-order difference plot, we propose a novel method, called the multi-scale feedback ratio analysis, which can measure the feedback properties of heart rate fluctuations on different temporal scales. The index [R(TF([τ(1), τ(2)]) is then defined to quantify the average feedback ratio through a definite scale range. Analysis of Gaussian white, 1/f and Brownian noises show that the feedback ratios are indeed on different levels. The method is then applied to heartbeat interval series derived from healthy subjects, subjects with congestive heart failure and subjects with atrial fibrillation. Results show that, for all groups, the feedback ratios vary with increasing time scales, and gradually reach relatively stable states. The R(TF)([10,20]) values of the three groups are significantly different. Thus, R(TF)([10,20]) becomes an effective parameter for distinguishing healthy and pathologic states. In addition, RTF([10,20]) for healthy, congestive failure and atrial fibrillation subjects are close to those of the 1/f, Brownian and white noises respectively, indicating different intrinsic dynamics.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Electronic Engineering, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu 215500, China.
authors.forename: Chengyu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Electronic Engineering, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. Electronic address: xlhuang@nju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Electronic Engineering, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Huangjing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Electronic Engineering, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Hongxing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Electronic Engineering, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Chunhua
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Electronic Engineering, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. Electronic address: xbning@nju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Xinbao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ning
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Feedback ratio; Heart rate variability; Multi-scale; Second-order difference plot