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| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 15
| Issue : 3 | Page : 68-73 |
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Assessment of heart rate turbulence in hypertensive patients: Rationale, perspectives, and insight into autonomic nervous system dysfunction
Antoine Kossaify1, Annie Garcia1, Fouad Ziade2
1 Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Division, University Hospital Notre Dame de Secours, St Charbel Street, Byblos, Lebanon
2 Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| Date of Web Publication | 15-Nov-2014 |
Correspondence Address:
Antoine Kossaify
Electrophysiology Unit, Cardiology Division, University Hospital Notre Dame de Secours, St Charbel Street, Byblos
Lebanon
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1995-705X.144790
 Abstract | | |
Background: Heart rhythm turbulence is classically impaired in patients with previous myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure and is poorly investigated in patients with essential hypertension.
Objective: To evaluate heart rhythm turbulence parameters (turbulence onset, (TO); turbulence slope, (TS) in a series of hypertensive patients while gaining insight into autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Setting and Design: University hospital, cross-sectional monocentric study.
Materials and Methods: Heart rhythm turbulence was assessed in 50 hypertensive (case group) and 40 normotensive patients (control group).
Results: TO and TS were found independently correlated with hypertension. The mean TO was found at -1.64% ± 2.85% in the normotensive patients compared to 1.21% ± 1.95% in the hypertensive patients; the mean TS was found at 4.29 ± 3.18 ms/RR in the normotensive patients compared to 2.27 ± 0.93 ms/RR in the hypertensive patients. Hypertension has a predictive value on heart rhythm turbulence impairment (OR 4.99, 95% CI 1.28-19.41, P = 0.02). Insights into the role of autonomic nervous system dysfunction for the management of hypertensive patients and prevention of malignant ventricular arrhythmia are presented and discussed with regard to heart rhythm turbulence.
Conclusion: Essential hypertension is correlated with blunted heart rhythm turbulence parameters. Keywords: Autonomic, hypertension, nervous, rate, turbulence
How to cite this article:
Kossaify A, Garcia A, Ziade F. Assessment of heart rate turbulence in hypertensive patients: Rationale, perspectives, and insight into autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Heart Views 2014;15:68-73 |
How to cite this URL:
Kossaify A, Garcia A, Ziade F. Assessment of heart rate turbulence in hypertensive patients: Rationale, perspectives, and insight into autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Heart Views [serial online] 2014 [cited 2023 Oct 2];15:68-73. Available from: https://www.heartviews.org/text.asp?2014/15/3/68/144790 |
| Introduction | |  |
Sudden cardiac death remains a significant medical burden despite current medical progress. For more than two decades, it has been demonstrated that essential hypertension (HTN) and left ventricular hypertrophy represent risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality including sudden cardiac death. [1] Identification of patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death is essential for the implementation of prophylactic strategies for reducing mortality rates related to sudden cardiac events.
From this perspective, many clinical markers are used in clinical practice including left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular hyperexcitability, ventricular late potentials, T wave alternance, QT dispersion, heart rate variability, and heart rate turbulence (HRT).
The underlying mechanism behind HRT is an initial heart rate acceleration that occurs immediately after a premature ventricular complex (PVC), followed by a deceleration before resuming the baseline cycle length. Two parameters were defined in this setting: Turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS). HRT is an established tool that assesses cardiac autonomic function, and blunted autonomic modulation of the heart rate predisposes an individual to the risk of developing a malignant ventricular arrhythmia. [2] Schmidt et al. [3] described HRT in 1999 for the first time, and since then, many reports correlated this electrical parameter with the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia. However, most reports focused on HRT associated with myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, [3],[4] and only a few studies have reported on HRT in other cardiovascular conditions such as HTN. [4]
The aim of this study is to assess the potential correlation between HRT and essential HTN, focusing on the rationale of assessment of HRT in this setting and on the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), with the perspective of a more adapted and strategic management of hypertensive patients.
| Materials and Method | | |
This was a cross-sectional monocentric study, performed at the University Hospital Notre Dame de Secours, Byblos, Lebanon. Recruitment took place between January 2013 and December 2013. All included patients had a continuous 24-hour electrocardiogram (Holter) performed on an outpatient basis; the recording was performed while subjects went about their daily routine. HRT parameters, (TO and TS), were calculated using HRT software (GE Healthcare). The study population comprised 90 eligible patients, including 50 hypertensive (HTV) and 40 normotensive (NTV) patients (control group).
The patients were eligible for inclusion if they fulfilled the following criteria: Age between 19-81 years old and had received an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and Holter recording during the recruitment period. The exclusion criteria consisted of the following: Absence of PVC, interpolated PVC, presence of complete bundle branch block, class 1 anti-arrhythmic drugs intake; and an incomplete medical record. Moreover, in order to avoid the confounding effect of current cardiac or extracardiac diseases, any of the following conditions constituted criteria for exclusion: Previous myocardial infarction, significant valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, impaired left ventricular systolic function, inappropriate sinus tachycardia, sinoatrial dysfunction; uncontrolled HTN, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, dilated cardiomyopathy, Chagas disease, hyperthyroidism, mitral valve prolapse, hemodialysis with advanced renal disease, and metabolic syndrome.
All patients had their blood pressure measured and recorded during their visit for a Holter recording; patients were considered HTV based on their medical treatment, their medical history, and their medical record. Uncontrolled HTN was considered to be present if systolic blood pressure was >150 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg, with or without anti-HTV therapy. Eligible patients with coronary artery disease were asymptomatic or had stable angina; previous myocardial infarction was considered present based on patient history, medical record along with electrocardiogram and echocardiogram findings. Significant valvular heart disease was considered to be present when moderate to severe valvular stenosis or regurgitation was documented. Impaired left ventricular systolic function was considered to be present when the ejection fraction was <50%.
RR intervals and QRS morphology were automatically assessed by a digitized Holter analyzer, and they were validated after review and editing by an electrophysiologist. The accepted tachogram consisted of a sequence of sinus R-R intervals with five preceding and 15 succeeding to a PVC; HRT parameters were measured using tachograms that were averaged over long-term recordings. HRT indices (TO and TS) were calculated using the guideline standards of the International Society for Holter and Non-invasive Electrocardiology. [2] TO values < 0 and TS values > 2.5 ms/RR were considered normal. TS was calculated as the maximum slope of the regression line over any sequence of five R-R intervals within the first 15 sinus beats succeeding a PVC. TO is defined as the percentage of intervals difference between the first two normal cycles following PVC and the last two normal intervals preceding the PVC. PVC was accepted only when embedded into five preceding and 15 succeeding R-R intervals; accepted PVCs are those with prematurity > 20% and a compensatory pause > 120% of the average of the last five intervals preceding the PVC.
The algorithm for HRT quantification is programmed to ensure that the sinus rhythm immediately preceding and following the PVC is free from arrhythmia and artifacts. From this perspective, we used filters to reject HRT calculations in these cases: RR < 200 ms; RR > 2500 ms; the difference between two successive RR intervals > 200 ms; and the RR interval difference > 20% from the baseline interval (calculated as mean of the five last sinus intervals). The study protocol conformed to the ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects, as outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki (version 2013).
Statistical analysis
Analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, or number and percentage, as appropriate. The differences between the two groups were analyzed with the Student's t-test for continuous variables and with Chi-square test for categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was applied using binary logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio and their 95% confidence intervals. Forward LR approach was used to determine the predicting variables from the set of variables found to have significant differences. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
| Results | | |
Of the 90 patients studied, 40 were NTV and 50 were HTV. The mean age was 53.88 ± 21.62 years in the NTV group and 72.28 ± 8.43 years in the HTV group (P < 0.0001). Parameters included in the baseline characteristics included: Age, gender, smoking status, coronary artery disease (without infarction), diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, diastolic dysfunction (without heart failure), beta blockers therapy, calcium channel blockers therapy, and interventricular septum thickness. Univariate analysis showed a significant difference between the NTV and HTV groups regarding four variables: Age, diabetes mellitus, diastolic dysfunction, and septal wall thickness [Table 1].
Other parameters did not differ significantly; namely, there was no difference in terms of the minimum, maximum, and mean heart rate between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the number of PVC/24 hours, the PVC coupling interval, and the post-PVC cycle length. The mean TO and TS values were equal to -1.64 ± 2.85 and 4.29 ± 3.18 in the NTV group, compared to 1.21 ± 1.95 and 2.27 ± 0.93 in the HTV group, respectively (P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with blunted HRT (both TO and TS abnormal) was significantly higher in the HTV group when compared to the NTV group (40% versus 7.5%) [Table 2].  | Table 2: Significant difference in TO and TS between the normotensive group (NTV) and hypertensive group (HTV) groups.
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Analysis of predictors of abnormal HRT was based on the model of both TO and TS impairment. Nine parameters were included in the univariate analysis as predictors of HRT: Age, tobacco, coronary artery disease, diabetes, interventricular septum, number of PVC/24 hours, mean heart rate, PVC coupling interval, and HTN. Among the investigated parameters, only age (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.12, P = 0.046) and HTN (OR 9.93, 95% CI 1.01−97.48, P = 0.049) had a significant correlation in the model [Table 3]. Multivariate analysis [Table 4] included variables with significant value in the univariate study (age and HTN) and yielded a significant predictive value of HTN on HRT (OR 4.99, 95% CI 1.28-19.41, P = 0.02). | Table 3: Univariate analysis: Predictors of abnormal HRT (both TO and TS abnormal)
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 | Table 4: Multivariate analysis for prediction of abnormal HRT (both TO and TS abnormal)
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| Discussio | | |
HRT is typically blunted in patients with heart failure and previous myocardial infarction; [2] in addition, many other clinical conditions may result in HRT impairment: Dilated cardiomyopathy, [5] Chagas disease, [6] hyperthyroidism, [7] mitral valve prolapse, [8] hemodialysis in advanced renal disease, [9] and metabolic syndrome. [10]
In the present study, HRT was assessed in essential HTN and it was found to be blunted in the HTV group compared to the NTV group. The underlying mechanism behind HRT impairment in HTN is not fully elucidated; however, there is increasing evidence about the crucial role of the ANS and baroreflex sensitivity in this respect. [11],[12] The deleterious impact of HTN on HRT has already been documented in previous reports; [13],[14],[15] however, only few studies addressed this issue. Also, the risk and mechanism of ventricular arrhythmia encountered in HTV patients have not been well-elucidated though left ventricular hypertrophy and ANS dysfunction play a crucial role in this context. [16],[17] In view of this, recognition of patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death in HTN is essential and HRT assessment is of utmost importance in this regard. [15],[18],[19]
In this study, results showed that four parameters (increased age, diabetes, diastolic dysfunction, and interventricular septum thickness) were more prevalent in the HTV group [Table 2]. Diastolic dysfunction is an obvious finding consecutive to left ventricular hypertrophy in HTN. Guo et al. [19] did not find any causal relationships between diastolic dysfunction and HRT. Moreover, our search did not identify any report correlating diastolic dysfunction and HRT. In addition, HTV patients had a higher mean age (P < 0.001), and this is explained by the fact that HTN is more prevalent with increased age. [1] The study design did not allow for the assessment of the effect of aging on HRT; however, a previous report [20] showed that increasing age leads to impairment of HRT parameters. Similarly, previous reports showed that diabetes is correlated with blunted HRT, [4],[21] and this phenomenon is mediated via ANS, baroreflex sensitivity, and endothelial dysfunction in this context. [11],[12] In the present study, the design and objective of the study did not allow for the identification of an independent correlation between diabetes and HRT [Table 3].
The direct effect of anti-HTV therapy on HRT parameters is not elucidated though some reports [22],[23] showed that there was a beneficial effect. In this context, we estimate that the beneficial effect of anti-HTV therapy is mediated through blood pressure control as well as through improvement of related conditions (i.e., endothelial dysfunction) rather than direct effect on parameters of HRT. [24],[25]
The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy by itself is a consequence of long sustained HTN. Also, it is an established cause of diastolic dysfunction and sudden cardiac death. [1],[17] In this study, multivariate analysis did not show an independent correlation between septal thickness and HRT. Furthermore, there is currently no evidence that left ventricular hypertrophy is causative of HRT blunting, and it is rather an associated comorbidity in HTN. [24] Many reports [13],[14] have shown that HRT is blunted, even in pre-HTV and NTV patients who do not have night dipping of blood pressure and who do not necessarily have left ventricular hypertrophy.
Accordingly, we estimate that HRT impairment in HTN is correlated with ANS dysfunction, baroreflex dysregulation, and endothelial dysfunction, along with the associated inflammatory process encountered in HTN. [22],[25]
Finally, we mention that many other factors may have an impact on HRT parameters. TO and TS are critically vagal dependent; [21],[26] exposure to tobacco smoke induces abnormal HRT in patients with arterial HTN. [27] TS and TO are closely dependent on the PVC coupling interval and on the retrograde conduction status. [28] Sestito et al. [29] reported that HRT variables are impaired in patients with stable coronary artery disease, even without previous myocardial infarction. In the present study, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding tobacco use, PVC coupling interval, and stable coronary artery disease.
Clinical implications, rationale, and perspectives
Blunted HRT theoretically exposes an individual to an increased risk of developing malignant ventricular arrhythmia. Classically, blunted HRT is useful for assessing the prognosis in patients with congestive heart failure and/or previous myocardial infarction. [3],[30] However, HRT may have clinical applications in other clinical conditions-namely, in essential HTN for evaluating arrhythmic risk, assess condition severity, prognosis, [14] and efficacy of anti-HTV therapy beyond lowering blood pressure. [22] HTV patients with blunted HRT should be considered for anti-HTV drugs such as beta blockers that may improve HRT and protect against dysrhythmias. [12],[23] HRT is a non-invasive and relatively non-expensive test. In view of this, we estimate that HRT realization in HTV patients is a cost-effective procedure and should be implemented more frequently in the future.
Study limitations
The study is monocentric, and the study population is small; these factors may compromise the results. The estimation of left ventricular hypertrophy was based only on septal thickness. This is a simplified method, and indexed left ventricular mass is a preferred method. Echocardiographic evaluation was performed by different operators, and assessment of some parameters may not be homogeneous. HRT parameters show circadian variability. [31] Also, orthostatic position has an impact on baroreflex sensitivity indices and on TS values. [32] These factors could have a confounding effect on the study's results. The incidence of false-positive or false-negative HRT results can go up to 19%, [33] and this is related to clinical settings and to potential confounding variables.
| Conclusion | | |
The present study showed significant impairment of HRT in patients with essential HTN. HRT is a valuable tool in practice; it allows for the assessment of ANS dysfunction in many cardiac conditions, namely coronary artery disease, heart failure, and HTN. Patients with essential HTN are at higher risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially when HTN is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. [1] In this context, HRT assessment allows for the estimation of the potential risk of ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, also it allows for monitoring the efficiency of anti-HTV therapy, which should aim to decrease morbidity and mortality, beyond lowering blood pressure.
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[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4]
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