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Low frequency power of heart rate variability reflects baroreflex function, not cardiac sympathetic innervation

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Abstract

Background

Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability is used to assess cardiac autonomic function. The relationship of low frequency (LF) power to cardiac sympathetic tone has been unclear. We reported previously that LF power may reflect baroreflex modulation. In this study we attempted to replicate our findings in additional subject cohorts, taking into account possible influences of respiration and using different methods to measure baroreflex-cardiovagal gain (BCG).

Objective

We assessed relationships of LF power, including respiration-adjusted LF power (LFa), with cardiac sympathetic innervation and baroreflex function in subjects with or without neuroimaging evidence of cardiac sympathetic denervation.

Methods

Values for LF power at baseline supine, seated, and during the Valsalva maneuver were compared between subject groups with low or normal myocardial concentrations of 6-[18F]fluorodopamine-derived radioactivity. BCG was calculated from the slope of cardiac interbeat interval vs. systolic pressure during Phase II of the Valsalva maneuver or after i.v. nitroglycerine injection (the Oxford technique).

Results

LF and LFa were unrelated to myocardial 6-[18F]fluorodopamine-derived radioactivity. During sitting rest and the Valsalva maneuver logs of LF and LFa correlated positively with the log of Phase II BCG (r = 0.61, p = 0.0005; r = 0.47, p = 0.009; r = 0.69, p < 0.0001; r = 0.60, p = 0.0006). Groups with Low BCG (≤3 ms/mmHg) had low LF and LFa regardless of cardiac innervation. The log of LF power during supine rest correlated with the log of Oxford BCG (r = 0.74, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

LF power, with or without respiratory adjustment, reflects baroreflex modulation and not cardiac sympathetic tone.

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Abbreviations

BCG:

Baroreflex-cardiovagal gain

HF:

High frequency

HFa:

Adjusted high frequency power

LF:

Low frequency

LFa:

Adjusted low frequency power

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Ms. Tereza Jenkins coordinated patient travel. Division of Intramural Research, NINDS, NIH. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Neurocardiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive MSC-1620, Building 10 Room 5N220, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1620, USA

    Faisal Rahman, Sandra Pechnik, Daniel Gross, LaToya Sewell & David S. Goldstein

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  1. Faisal Rahman
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  2. Sandra Pechnik
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  3. Daniel Gross
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  4. LaToya Sewell
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  5. David S. Goldstein
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Correspondence to David S. Goldstein.

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Rahman, F., Pechnik, S., Gross, D. et al. Low frequency power of heart rate variability reflects baroreflex function, not cardiac sympathetic innervation. Clin Auton Res 21, 133–141 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-010-0098-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-010-0098-y

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