Heart rate variability in healthy volunteers during normobaric and hyperbaric hyperoxia

Inhaled supranormal partial pressure of oxygen induces bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction. The exact mechanism of the decreasing heart rate is not clear, but the autonomic nervous system is partly involved. In the present study the role of the autonomic nervous system in hyperoxic bradycardia was evaluated by using the power spectral analysis of heart rate variability. Ten healthy volunteers participated in four experiments: (i) hyperbaric oxygen treatment (100% oxygen at 2.5 ATA), (ii) hyperbaric air treatment (O2 21% at 2.5 ATA), (iii) oxygen treatment at normal pressure (100% O2, 1 ATA) and (iv) air breathing at normal pressure (21% O2, 1 ATA). During the experiments, ECG was registered and subjected to power spectral analysis. The volunteers rated their perception of temperature, ear discomfort, sweating and excitement on a visual analogue scale. Statistical comparison of the results of the four trials was conducted with a two-way ANOVA for repeated measurements. Heart rate decreased during all interventions, but there were no statistically significant differences between the sessions. High frequency variability of heart rate variability and Hayano's index of HF power increased and LF/HF ratio decreased with increasing partial pressure of oxygen. Our results suggest, that normobaric and hyperbaric hyperoxia increase parasympathetic influence in the regulation of the heart.