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Volume 21, Issue 2
  • ISSN: 1573-403X
  • E-ISSN: 1875-6557

Abstract

Introduction

Autonomic impairment is a hallmark of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). While there have been studies on general values for each index of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in HFrEF, a systematic review comprehensively examining representative values in HFrEF is lacking.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to extract studies reporting representative values of HRV metrics in HFrEF.

Results

A total of 470 HFrEF patients from 6 studies were included in the review. In general, time and frequency domains were abnormally lower in HFrEF, portending a worse prognosis. In HFrEF, the mean or median value of the standard deviation of NN interval, root mean square successive difference, pNN50, and low-frequency power/high-frequency power were 40 to 121 msec, 19 to 62 msec, 1.3 to 14%, and 1.00 to 1.73, respectively.

Conclusion

In this systematic review, most HRV metrics were found to be calculated from 24-hour Holter recordings and were lower in HFrEF patients with poor prognosis.

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Heart Rate Variability and Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review of Literature
Curr. Cardiol. Rev. 21, E1573403X327105 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/011573403X327105241021180916
/content/journals/ccr/10.2174/011573403X327105241021180916
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  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): autonomic nervous; heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; Heart rate variability; HF phenotype; sympathetic nervous system; vagus nervous system

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