Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
A Pre-Clinical Porcine Model of Orthotopic Heart Transplantation
Published on: April 27, 2019
Heart rate variability after heart transplantation: a 10-year longitudinal follow-up study
Véronique A Cornelissen1, Johan Vanhaecke, André E Aubert
1Research Centre for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Rehabilitation, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Leuven, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Veronique.cornelissen@faber.kuleuven.be
Insights
Long-term heart transplantation (HTx) recipients show changes in heart rate variability (HRV) suggesting partial re-innervation of the sinus node. These findings support previous cross-sectional study hypotheses.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
Background:
- Cross-sectional studies indicate potential partial re-innervation of the sinus node post-heart transplantation (HTx) using heart rate variability (HRV).
- Longitudinal data are needed to confirm these initial observations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis of sinus node re-innervation after HTx.
- To examine changes in HRV over a long-term follow-up period in HTx recipients.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 14 HTx recipients was conducted.
- Electrocardiographic RR intervals were recorded and analyzed using time and frequency domain power spectral analysis at baseline and long-term follow-up.
- Measurements were taken in the supine position for 20 minutes.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in RR interval was observed from baseline to follow-up (p<0.05).
- Total power, absolute low frequency, and high frequency power significantly increased (p<0.001).
- Relative low and high frequency power remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- The observed long-term HRV changes in HTx recipients are consistent with partial re-innervation of the cardiac sinus node.
- These findings corroborate suggestions from prior cross-sectional studies.
Background:
Cross-sectional studies suggest, by use of heart rate variability (HRV), that partial re-innervation of the sinus node may occur after heart transplantation (HTx). Our aim was to test this hypothesis by examining HRV in long-term longitudinal follow-up study of HTx recipients.
Methods And Results:
14 HTx recipients (11 men) were studied 1-48 (median 13) months (baseline) and 119-172 (median 141) months after HTx (follow-up). At baseline and follow-up, electrocardiographic RR interval was continuously recorded in the supine position for 20 min. The signals were analyzed in the time domain and in the frequency domain by means of power spectral analysis. RR-interval decreased significantly from baseline to follow-up (p<0.05). This was associated with an increase of total power (p<0.001), absolute low frequency (p<0.001), and high frequency power (p<0.001), but unchanged relative low frequency and high frequency power.
Conclusions:
The observed changes in HRV during long-term follow-up after HTx are compatible with partial re-innervation of the cardiac sinus node, as has been suggested by cross-sectional studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart rate...