The Chaos Theory and Non-linear Dynamics in Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Heart Failure

This study evaluate and quantify the non-linear dynamic changes of heart rate variability based on ldquochaos theoryrdquo and fractal mathematics in 250 patients with heart failure during 12 months. Some different non-linear methods were applied: fractal dimension (FD), detrented fluctuation analysis (DFA) and approximate entropy (ApEn). Fractal correlation properties and fractal dimension in this study may reflect altered neuroanatomic interaction that may predispose to the development of severe HF. It was found that the short-term fractal scaling exponent (alpha₁) is significantly lower in patients with HF. The patients with HF had also lower approximate entropy and higher fractal dimension with positive impact of modern HE therapy.