Analysis of Cardiovascular Autonomic Functions in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus using Heart Rate Variability

Abstract

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is amultisystem disorder with autoimmune origin. Autonomicdysfunction is attributed to morbidity of cardiovascular system inthese patients. Heart rate variability is a useful tool in evaluating themodulations of autonomic nervous system. Aim of the study: Toevaluate cardiac function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)patients by means of non invasive measures to detect earlydysfunction of cardiovascular system. Materials and methods: 30patients (28 female and2 male) with SLE and 30 controls wereenrolled for the study. This study evaluated the effects of Supine,Standing and Deep breathing on cardiac autonomic nervousmodulation by heart rate variability. Both Time Domain andFrequency Domain measures were evaluated. Results were analysedusing Student independent t test. Results: Subjects were similar withregard to height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure.SDNN, RMSSD, and High Frequency(HF) component weredecreased in SLE patients compared with healthy controls, but LowFrequency (LF) component ,LF/HF and total power were higher inSLE patients. Conclusion: The results of our study showed that thereis subclinical impairment of cardiovascular autonomic functions.HRV is a suitable technique to assess autonomic modulations in SLEpatients.