Heart rate variability and diastolic heart failure

Diastolic heart failure accounts for up to 40% of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), and is associated with a better prognosis as compared to patients with systolic dysfunction. Nevertheless, patients with diastolic dysfunction have a significantly higher mortality as compared to the normal population. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV), a marker of autonomic dysfunction, is associated with increased mortality in patients with systolic heart failure. We therefore sought to determine to what extent HRV is altered in a population of patients with diastolic heart failure. Twenty-four hour ambulatory (Holter) recordings were performed in 19 consecutive patients with diastolic heart failure, in 9 patients with systolic heart failure, as well as in 9 healthy volunteers (normal controls). Time and frequency domain HRV variables were obtained for all three groups of patients. Both Time and Frequency domain variables were found to be reduced in both heart failure groups compared to normal controls. When compared with each other, patients with diastolic function had relatively higher values of HRV variables, compared to those with systolic dysfunction (SDNN, Total power, ULF power, all P ≤ 0.05). Patients with diastolic dysfunction have reduced HRV, suggesting a disturbed sympathetic-parasympathetic balance. Nevertheless, values for HRV are not as profoundly reduced as in patients with systolic dysfunction. The relative preservation of sympathetic-parasympathetic balance may explain the better prognosis in this patient population.