Poincaré plot interpretation using a physiological model of HRV based on a network of oscillators

Michael Brennan, Marimuthu Palaniswami, Peter Kamen
2002 American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology  
Brennan, Michael, Marimuthu Palaniswami, and Peter Kamen. Poincaré plot interpretation using a physiological model of HRV based on a network of oscillators. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 283: H1873-H1886, 2002; 10.1152/ajpheart.00405.2000.-In this paper, we develop a physiological oscillator model of which the output mimics the shape of the R-R interval Poincaré plot. To validate the model, simulations of various nervous conditions are compared with heart rate variability (HRV) data obtained
more » ... rom subjects under each prescribed condition. For a variety of sympathovagal balances, our model generates Poincaré plots that undergo alterations strongly resembling those of actual R-R intervals. By exploiting the oscillator basis of our model, we detail the way that low-and high-frequency modulation of the sinus node translates into R-R interval Poincaré plot shape by way of simulations and analytic results. With the use of our model, we establish that the length and width of a Poincaré plot are a weighted combination of low-and highfrequency power. This provides a theoretical link between frequency-domain spectral analysis techniques and time-domain Poincaré plot analysis. We ascertain the degree to which these principles apply to real R-R intervals by testing the mathematical relationships on a set of data and establish that the principles are clearly evident in actual HRV records. heart rate variability; quantitative beat-to-beat analysis THE STUDY OF HEART RATE variability (HRV) centers on the analysis of beat-to-beat fluctuations in heart rate. The series of time intervals between heartbeats, referred to as R-R intervals, are measured over a period of anywhere from 10 min to 24 h (15). Attention has focused on HRV as a method of quantifying cardiac autonomic function. In this study, we present new results in developing a novel mathematical model that describes the interactions between the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems and heart rate fluctuations over a short-term period of 5-10 min. Whereas our model is based on standard and already accepted physiological principles, the mathematical formulation permits in-depth numerical and analytic investigations yielding valuable insight into clinical R-R interval analysis techniques.
doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00405.2000 pmid:12384465 fatcat:wz6y7rtar5cnpgjkbwqqbgccru