A study on heart rate variability in elderly patients with sleep apnea/ hypopnea syndrome / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the changes of heart rate variability (HRV) and the effects of treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) in elderly patients with sleep apnea/ hypopnea syndrome (SAHS). Methods SAHS patients and controls were examined by polysomnography(PSG) and dynamic cardiograph(DCG). Mean RR interval(Mean RRi), standard deviation of RR interval (SDRRi), low frequency(LF), high frequency(HF) and their ratio(LF/HF) were calculated. Results When compared with controls(847.9?113.8)ms vs (45.7?16.2) ms, there was significantly decrease in the Mean RRi and SDRRi in moderate, severe elderly patients and non-elderly SAHS patients(764.3?131.0)ms, (709.4?101.8)ms, (759.5?80.0)ms and (37.5?12.2)ms, (31.5?9.6)ms, (41.4?10.6)ms. There was statistical differences in LF, HF, and LF/HF between elderly and non-elderly severe SAHS (P