Spectral analysis of heart rate variability: effects of unilateral stellate blockade

摘要

Spectral analysis has been used as a means of quantifying frequency-specific contributions from heart rate variability signals under the effects of unilateral stellate blockade. Eight adults who were undergoing left and right blocks were used in the preliminary study where areas under the frequency bands LF (0.05-0.15 Hz) and HF (0.15-0.45 Hz) were computed for preblockade and postblockade conditions in the supine and standing positions. Results suggest that stellate blockade decreased LF areas by 43% when standing. The reduction was not significant compared to that obtained in previous work, where the reduction was 79%. These results underline the importance of efferents from the contralateral and higher cervical ganglia in the control of heart rate.