Analysis of heart rate variability in a rat model of induced pulmonary hypertension

Monocrotaline (MCT) is commonly used to experimentally induce pulmonary hypertension (PH), which might lead to chronic heart failure. In this study, linear and non-linear heart rate (HR) dynamics were weekly assessed in MCT-treated and non-treated Wistar rats. The HR of 10 adult Wistar rats injected with MCT (MCT group) and of 10 similar rats injected with vehicle (non-MCT group), anesthetized with Ketamine, was weekly recorded during 4 weeks. The first four segments of 1-min length of each HR recording were analysed using linear, time and frequency domains, and approximate (ApEn) and sample (SampEn) entropy indices, considering recently proposed values for the threshold parameter of ApEn and SampEn. Statistical analysis was performed using 95% confidence intervals and statistical tests. Along the study period, an overall weekly maintenance of HR indices, or a decrease, namely in weeks 1-2, was manifest, in the MCT group, except for LF and LF/HF, in week 1, denoting a short-term increase in sympathetic activity without any other changes. On the other hand, a maintenance of HR indices, or an increase, namely on week 4, was observed in the non-MCT group, except for LF/HF, denoting a long-term increase of the overall activity of HR control systems, with a parasympathetic like dominance. Studies on long-term HR dynamics should be performed in very carefully controlled experimental settings, as significant weekly changes may occur, both among anesthetized MCT-treated and non-treated rats.