Retrospective low heart rate variability overview in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background : Heart Rate Variability (HRV) describes the variations of both  instantaneous heart rate and R-R intervals in an electrocardiogram. Low HRV is considered to be a non-invasive measurement of autonomic inactivity and propensity lethal arrhythmias. Methodology: This was a retrospective study of patients with Low HRV over a 2 year period seen at the Jos University Teaching Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015. Result: Subjects with low HRV were older (51 vs 42, p=<0.05) years with low mean heart rate p=<0.05, compared to those with normal HRV. They all had severe features of cardiac dysfunction. Females with low HRV had decreased frequency of premature atrial contraction (PACs) (52% vs 78%). Only 5 (28%) cases out of 18 retrievable cases were still attending the out- patient department 6 months after the test. Conclusions: Low HRV is common among patients who had Holter monitoring in our centre and was associated with poor patient outcome. The few incidence of atrial ectopics among females with low HRV suggests poor sympathetic autonomic function. Keywords : Holter, retrospective, low heart rate, variability, Jos