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[Application of fractal dimension in heart rate variability analysis during head-down tilt]
Zhong-gang Liang1, Hong Yan, Bin Wu
1Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing, China. liangzhonggang@163.com
Objective:
The paper applies the fractal dimension to heart rate variability (HRV), and discusses the changes of the fractal dimension of cardiovascular system during head down tilt (HDT).
Method:
ECG of 10 subjects were recorded during HDT, the experiment was repeated in each subject. Fractal dimension was used to analyze the HRV.
Result:
Compared to supine before HDT, the standard deviation of all normal to normal RR intervals (SDNN) at 15-20 min, 20-25 min, 25-30 min and restoration increased significantly; the root mean square of successive differences between adjacent normal cycles (rMSSD) at 20-25 min increased significantly; the fractal dimension at 0-5 min, 5-10 min, 10-15 min, 20-25 min, 25-30 min and restoration increased significantly.
Conclusion:
The result shows that HRV and the nonlinearity of cardiovascular system increase during HDT. It is feasible that the fractal dimension can be used for analyzing HRV.
