title: Heart rate variability after myocardial infarction: what we know and what we still need to find out.
abstract: Heart rate variability (HRV) is represented by the variation of the time intervals between consecutive heartbeats or the instantaneous heart rates, and can be assessed with linear and non-linear parameters. It is a sensitive indicator of an overall system complexity and adaptability and can be used to diagnose the autonomic dysfunction and quantify the associated risk in a variety of cardiac and non-cardiac disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize the current literature on the value of HRV in predicting the risk of long-term all cause, cardiac, and arrhythmic mortality in survivors of myocardial infarction (MI). We also emphasize the lack of evidence on the role of therapeutic interventions such as medications, bio-behavioral treatments, cardiac rehabilitation, and exercise, in modifying the HRV in post-MI patients.
authors: a Cleveland Clinic Foundation , Cleveland , OH , USA.
authors: Andrei
authors: A
authors: Brateanu
mesh_terms: D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Fractal; Frequency domain; HRV; Heart rate variability; Myocardial infarction; Time domain