Evaluation of a portable prototype to analyze heart rate variability.

Power spectrum analysis of heart rate fluctuations provide a quantitative noninvasive means of assessing the functioning of the cardiovascular control system. Until now the equipment used to study heart rate variability (HRV) have been complicated systems utilized mostly in research centers. Simpler systems are needed for routine clinical application.

Heart rate variability and severe brain damage: preliminary data.

Severe brain damage may cause alterations of cardiovascular function: heart rate, particularly, require the integrity of the vagal, sympathetic and central nervous systems. We studied brain-heart functional relation and neurovegetative modulation by spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). This technique allows separate evaluation of the sympathetic and vagal components of heart rate modulation.

[Propofol in single bolus for treatment of elevated intracranial hypertension].

Eleven patients with intracranial pressure (ICP) above 20 mmHg despite hyperventilation and neurosedation were treated with a bolus of propofol (1.5 mg/kg) i.v.