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Fractal mechanisms and heart rate dynamics. Long-range correlations and their breakdown with diseaseUnder healthy conditions, the normal cardiac (sinus) interbeat interval fluctuates in a complex manner. Quantitative analysis using techniques adapted from statistical physics reveals the presence of long-range power-law correlations extending over thousands of heartbeats. This scale-invariant (fractal) behavior suggests that the regulatory system generating these fluctuations is operating far from equilibrium. In contrast, it is found that for subjects at high risk of sudden death (e.g., congestive heart failure patients), these long-range correlations break down. Application of fractal scaling analysis and related techniques provides new approaches to assessing cardiac risk and forecasting sudden cardiac death, as well as motivating development of novel physiologic models of systems that appear to be heterodynamic rather than homeostatic.
Document ID
20050000253
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Peng, C. K.
(Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Hospital Boston, MA 02215, United States)
Havlin, S.
Hausdorff, J. M.
Mietus, J. E.
Stanley, H. E.
Goldberger, A. L.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of electrocardiology
Volume: 28 Suppl
ISSN: 0022-0736
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary
Non-NASA Center

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