COVID-19 Lockdown in Wuhan: Heart Rate Variability in Females and Males – A Pilot Study

In a pioneer transcontinental pilot study conducted with 50 volunteers, it was revealed that women could have apparently overcome the world's toughest lockdown in terms of changes in the general state of health measured using the heart rate variability parameter better than men. The results of the present study obtained in Wuhan provide information on the initial trend in this regard.

The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy

Background: We aimed to compare and examine the effect of aquatic interventions, Watsu® vs Immersion, on the autonomic nervous system and the range of motion in children with cerebral palsy, due to common belief that use of Watsu is beneficial for the special needs. Material and methods: Twenty-three children (age 7.5±2.8) were randomized to receive Watsu® therapy and Immersion interventions in the cross-over, age-stratified study. Each therapy session lasted 30 minutes twice a week for a total of 10 weeks in two non-consecutive periods. Short-term heart rate variability parameters by using a Polar H7 heart rate sensor with a signal processing software and the passive range of motion by using a universal goniometer was measured at baseline and post-treatment. Results: Watsu® therapy significantly improved the heart rate variability parameter (pNN50, t = 2.312, p = 0.031) and lower flexibility (t = 6.012, p = 0.000) in comparison to immersion. Conclusions: In comparison to immersion, Watsu® therapy was shown to be safe and effective for the autonomic modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, it is recommended as a complementary tool for physical therapy on land.

Prevalence and pathophysiology of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients detected by multimodality diagnostics

Background Obesity doubles the lifetime risk of developing heart failure. Current knowledge on the role of obesity in causing cardiac dysfunction is insufficient for optimal risk stratification. Purpose The aim of the study was first to identify the prevalence of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients and second to investigate the underlying pathophysiology by comparing obesity patients with and without cardiac dysfunction. Methods The CARDIOBESE-study is a cross-sectional multicentre study of 100 obesity patients (BMI ≥35 kg/m2) without known cardiovascular disease, and 50 age- and gender-matched non-obese controls (BMI ≤30 kg/m2). Echocardiography was performed, blood samples were collected and a Holter monitor was affixed. Cardiac dysfunction was defined as either reduced LV ejection fraction, decreased global longitudinal strain (GLS), diastolic dysfunction, sustained supraventricular or (non)sustained ventricular arrhythmia or an increased BNP. Results Figure 1a shows the characteristics of the obesity patients and the non-obese controls. 59 obesity patients (48 [42–50] years, 70% female) showed subclinical cardiac dysfunction: 57 patients had decreased GLS, 2 patients with normal GLS had either diastolic dysfunction or increased brain natriuretic peptide. Only 1 non-obese control had diastolic dysfunction, none had another sign of cardiac dysfunction. Figure 1b shows the characteristics of obesity patients with and without cardiac dysfunction. Multivariable logistic analysis identified male gender and SDNN-index, which is a heart rate variability parameter and thereby a measure of autonomic dysfunction, as independent significant risk factors for subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients. Conclusions There was a high prevalence (61%) of subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity patients without known cardiovascular disease, which appeared to be best identified by GLS. Subclinical cardiac dysfunction in obesity was linked to autonomic dysfunction and male gender, and not to the presence of traditional cardiac risk factors, inflammation, increased cardiac filling pressure, cardiomyocyte damage or increased left ventricular mass. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Stichting BeterKeter

P1096Cardioneuroablation changes the type of vaso-vagal response in patients with asystolic reflex syncope

Funding Acknowledgements Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education No. 501-1-10-14-19 Background. Cardioneuroablation (CNA) - ablation of ganglionated plexi (GP) to eliminate or reduce parasympathetic overactivity, has been recently proposed as a new therapeutic method in patients with vaso-vagal syncope (VVS) due to cardioinhibitory or mixed mechanism. Purpose. To assess the impact of CNA on the type of VV response during tilt testing (TT). Methods. The study group consisted of the first 20 patients (7 males, mean age 38 ± 9 – year – old) enrolled in the ongoing prospective Roman study (NCT 03903744). All patients had a history of ECG documented syncope due to asystole and confirmed asystolic form of VVS at baseline TT. CNA was performed using electroanatomical system Carto 3 and radiofrequency applications delivered in the right and left atrium at the right anterior GP and right inferior GP sites. The second TT was performed three months later. Resting heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability parameter (SDDN) were also assessed. Results. At baseline TT, nineteen patients had cardioinhibitory syncope (asystole ranging from 3 to 60 s) (sinus node arrest – 17 patients, A-V block – 2 patients) and 1 had mixed form of VVS (asystole lasting 3 s preceded by hypotension). During three-month follow-up no syncopal episodes were noted. At the 3-month TT, 6 (30 %) patients had no syncope whereas the remaining 13 (65 %) had syncope – twelve (60 %) due to vasodepressor mechanism and only one (5 %) due to asystole - as before CNA. One patient did not have TT because of pregnancy. Mean resting HR after CNA was significantly faster and SDNN significantly lower than before the procedure (82 ± 9 vs 69 ± 11 beats/min, p = 0.0004 and 74 ± 22 vs 143 ± 40 ms, p = 0.00003, respectively) and these changes were was similar in those who fainted during second TT and those who did not (82 ± 11 vs 81 ± 4 beats/min, p = NS and (75 ± 2 vs 77 ± 18 ms, p = NS, respectively). Conclusions. CNA profoundly affects the type of VV reaction causing normalization of the response to tilting or changing cardiodepression to vasodepression. These effects are also depicted by changes in HR and heart rate variability. Elimination of TT-induced reflex asystole may prevent clinical recurrences of syncope during short-term follow-up. These findings encourage to conduct further studies involving CNA since this method appears to be effective and obviates the need for pacemaker implantation in young people with reflex asystolic syncope.

Abstract P125: Interaction Effects of Diabetes and Subclinical Hypothyroidism on Heart Rate Variability. The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Background: Diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism are frequently coexisting conditions. The separated effects of each one on the cardiovascular system and cardio autonomic function are known. However, it has not been investigated yet whether the presence of both diseases has a joint influence on the cardiac autonomic system. As the autonomic nervous system is involved in cardiovascular, endocrine, and metabolic control, the association of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism might have combined effects, leading to cardio autonomic impairment and rising cardiovascular risk. Aim: To analyze the interaction effects of diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism on Heart Rate Variability parameters among adults. using the participants enrolled at the baseline data of t Methods: The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) is a cohort of 15015 men and women aged 35 to 74 years-old recruited in 2008-10. Participants were categorized into four groups: non-diabetes with normal thyroid function (controls), non-diabetes with subclinical hypothyroidism; diabetes with normal thyroid function; and diabetes with subclinical hypothyroidism. Heart Rate Variability analyses were performed in time and frequency domains: Standard Deviation of NN interval (SDNN); Root of the Mean of the Sum of the Squares of Differences between adjacent NN intervals (RMSSD, Low-Frequency (LF) and High-Frequency (HF) on 5-minute time series collected in the supine position. For each Heart Rate Variability parameter, we divided the sample into quartile groups, using the fourth quartile as reference. We analyzed the associations with the highest quartile group for each Heart Rate Variability parameter using additive and multiplicative terms in logistic models. Results: Point Odds Ratio, and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI) estimates for the first quartiles of all Heart Rate Variability measures were higher for subjects with the combination of both, “diabetes plus subclinical hypothyroidism” than for people with only the diagnosis of diabetes: SDNN: 2.61 (95%CI = 1.13 to 6.05) vs. 1.52 (95%CI =1.25 to 1.85); RMSSD: 2.70 (95%CI =1.18 to 6.18) vs. 1.48 (95%CI =1.21 to 1.80); LF: 2.82 (95%CI =1.05 to 7.56) vs. 1.73 (95%CI =1.40 to 2.13); HF: 3.07 (95%CI =1.21 to 7.75) vs. 1.41 (95%CI =1.16 to 1.71). Nonetheless, no significant multiplicative interaction terms between diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism were found for the association with HRV variables. Conclusion: There is a potential joint impact on Heart Rate Variability showed by additive effects between diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism.

Severe Cardiac Autonomic Derangement and Altered Ventricular Repolarization Pave the Way to Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Objective Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent complication after heart surgery. It has been shown that cardiac autonomic derangement plays a significant role in the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) and that AF might also be promoted by altered repolarization. Thus, the aim of our study was to determine the levels of cardiac autonomic modulation and repolarization properties in patients developing POAF. Methods Seventy-nine patients scheduled for aortic and/or coronary artery bypass grafting surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled prospectively. High-resolution 20-minute electrocardiogram recordings were obtained day before surgery to determine P, PR, QT, and QTc intervals, as well as linear (time and frequency domain) and nonlinear heart rate variability parameters (fractal dimension and detrended fluctuation analysis). QTc interval was calculated using Framingham correction. Results Twenty-nine patients developed POAF (AF group), and 50 did not (non-AF group). Groups were similar regarding demographics, surgery type, and perioperative characteristics, except for older age in the AF group. QT and QTc intervals (Framingham) were longer in the AF group [442 (44) vs 422 (28) milliseconds, P = 0.018; and 448 (44) vs 431 (24) milliseconds, P = 0.031 and P = 0.019, respectively]. Time domain heart rate variability parameter PNN50 (percentage of pairs of adjacent NN intervals differing >50 milliseconds) was higher [14% (21%) vs 8% (16%), P = 0.015], and nonlinear parameter detrended fluctuation analysis α2 was lower in the AF group [0.81 (0.21) vs 0.91 (0.20), P = 0.031]. Conclusions Profound cardiac autonomic derangement, suggestive of parasympathetic excessive modulation, exists preoperatively in patients inclined to POAF after cardiac surgery, whereby parameters PNN50 and α2 differentiated the AF from the non-AF group. Prolonged QTc intervals are associated with an increased risk of POAF.

Ventricular arrhythmias in children with attention deficit disorder – a symptom of autonomic imbalance?

ObjectivesPotential side effects of stimulants for attention deficit disorder are in the focus of scientific discussions, intensified by the higher number of prescriptions. Children with known arrhythmias or other severe cardiac problems should not receive stimulants because of their sympathomimetic effects.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of 24-hour Holter electrocardiograms from 100 consecutive children with attention deficit disorder from January, 2006 to April, 2012.ResultsIn all, nine children had significant ventricular arrhythmia (mean age 11.4 ± 3.1 years, 77% male, 77% received methylphenidate). All these children had ventricular parasystole – four of them with an accelerated idioventricular rhythm. A significant circadian rhythm of premature ventricular contractions in seven children and the effect of standing and exercise clearly indicate the influence of the autonomic nervous system. In these children, hourly analysis of circadian rhythm within a 24-hour period showed a highly significant correlation between premature ventricular contractions and the vagal tone indicated by the heart rate variability parameter RMSSD (r = −0.83; p < 0.001). Ventricular arrhythmia was unaffected in seven children who received methylphenidate before diagnosis and decreased during metoprolol treatment in two children.ConclusionBy Holter electrocardiogram analysis, we observed a remarkably high incidence of ventricular parasystole and accelerated idioventricular rhythm in nine of 100 children with attention deficit disorder, which depends on autonomic imbalance and not on stimulant treatment.