Complexity analysis of heart rate variability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: relationship with severity and symptoms

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) negatively impacts autonomic control of the heart rate, as assessed by time and frequency domains of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. However, it is unknown whether symbolic dynamic analysis may identify cardiac autonomic impairment, and whether such nonlinear indices may be associated with disease severity, prognostic markers, perceived dyspnea and functional capacity in patients with COPD. The...