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Pulse rate variability predicts atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular events in a large, population-based cohort

John D Sluyter1, Carlos A Camargo2, Andrew Lowe3

  • 1School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.

International Journal of Cardiology
|October 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Pulse rate variability parameters like RMSSD and IrrIx can predict future atrial fibrillation (AF) and cerebrovascular events, even in individuals without a prior AF diagnosis, aiding in early detection and risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often diagnosed after a stroke occurs.
  • Improved screening methods for AF are crucial for early intervention.
  • Pulse rate variability (PRV) parameters may offer predictive capabilities for AF and related events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if PRV parameters, specifically RMSSD and IrrIx, can predict future AF diagnoses.
  • To determine if PRV parameters predict cerebrovascular events.
  • To assess the predictive value of PRV in individuals without a prior AF diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • An observational cohort study included 5000 adults aged 50-84 years.
  • Beat-to-beat variability of blood pressure waveforms was measured using RMSSD and IrrIx.
  • Participants were followed for a median of 4.6 years, with outcomes including AF and cerebrovascular events.

Main Results:

  • Elevated RMSSD (>100 ms) or IrrIx (>7.7%) strongly predicted higher risks of AF and cerebrovascular events (HRs 1.91-2.95).
  • These associations persisted even in individuals without a prior AF diagnosis.
  • The highest tertiles of RMSSD or IrrIx showed the strongest associations with AF and cerebrovascular events (HRs 2.32-4.47).

Conclusions:

  • Increased RMSSD or IrrIx values indicate a higher risk of future AF and cerebrovascular events.
  • The predictive value is enhanced with greater pulse irregularity.
  • PRV parameters are valuable predictors even in individuals without a diagnosed history of AF.
Abstract

Keywords:
Atrial fibrillationBlood pressure monitoringCerebrovascular diseasePulse rate variabilityStroke

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