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Effects of autonomic blockade on nonlinear heart rate dynamics

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Abstract

Introduction

Analysis of nonlinear heart rate (HR) dynamics may provide greater insight into neurocardiac influences during exercise and disease than traditional HR variability. However, the physiological basis of nonlinear HR dynamics has not been investigated in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of autonomic blockade in SCI and able-bodied participants.

Methods

Five participants (42 ± 13 years) with SCI (C4–C7, AIS B–D, 13 ± 13 years post-injury) and four able-bodied controls (33 ± 8 years) underwent β1-adrenergic and vagal blockade in the supine and cardiovascular stress positions. Cardiovascular stress consisted of 40° tilt plus sustained isometric jaw contraction and cold water submersion of the right hand.

Results

In both SCI and able-bodied participants, vagal blockade significantly increased HR (p < 0.05) and resulted in significant reductions in sample entropy and correlation dimension in the supine and cardiovascular stress positions (p < 0.05). During the cardiovascular stress position, baseline sample entropy (p < 0.05) and correlation dimension (p < 0.05) were lower in participants with SCI. Nonlinear measures were also significantly correlated with HR (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that vagal modulations are a primary modulator of nonlinear HR signals in both SCI and able-bodied participants, while the role of the β1-adrenergic system remains less defined. Further study is required to elucidate the role of the autonomic nervous system in nonlinear HR dynamics in both SCI and able-bodied populations.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Deborah O’Leary, Dr. Stephen Cheung, and Dr. Allan Ditor, as well as Anita Beaton and Carma-Lynn Wylie for their assistance in this research. This project was funded by a Brock University Advancement Fund. PJM is funded by an Ontario graduate scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada

    Philip J. Millar & Neil McCartney

  2. Department of Physical Education and Kinesiology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1, Canada

    Lisa M. Cotie & David S. Ditor

  3. Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada

    Tim St. Amand

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  1. Philip J. Millar
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  2. Lisa M. Cotie
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  3. Tim St. Amand
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  4. Neil McCartney
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  5. David S. Ditor
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Correspondence to Philip J. Millar.

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Millar, P.J., Cotie, L.M., St. Amand, T. et al. Effects of autonomic blockade on nonlinear heart rate dynamics. Clin Auton Res 20, 241–247 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-010-0058-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10286-010-0058-6

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