Assessment of cardiac autonomic function in patients with permanent and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest abnormal heart rhythm with significant related morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence that abnormalities of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) are involved in the pathogenesis of AF. Exploring the ANS is possible through heart rate variability (HRV) evaluation. Purpose To investigate whether HRV is more abnormal in patients with permanent AF compared to paroxysmal AF. Design In a cross-sectional comparison, we studied two patient groups: permanent AF (n=30) and paroxysmal AF (n=31). Time-domain, frequency-domain and non-linear measures of HRV were determined using eMotion Faros ECG sensor. Participant's breathing was controlled with a metronome set at 12 breaths per minute. Data was analysed using SPSS software. Results Time-domain and non-linear indices of HRV were significant higher in permanent AF group compared to paroxysmal AF (table 1). Permanent AF was the only independent predictor of HRV on multivariable analysis in this cohort of patients (p=0.006) Conclusions First study investigating autonomic function in patients with permanent AF and paroxysmal AF. HRV indices were significantly higher in permanent AF compared to paroxysmal AF which may suggest pronounced cardiac autonomic influence in the pathophysiology of permanent AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.