Evaluation of Heart Rate Variation Analysis during Rest and Tilting in Patients with Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Objective. To evaluate spectral heart rate (HR) variation using short-term ECG recordings at rest and during the tilt table test. Methods. The values of spectral components of total power (TP), high-frequency power (HF), low-frequency power (LF) and LF: HF ratio were measured at rest and during the head-up tilt in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and their control subjects. Results. Compared to the control subjects, patients with TLE had lower HF (P < 0.05) and LF : HF ratio (P < 0.05) at rest and lower TP (P < 0.001), HF (P < 0.05), and LF (P < 0.05) during the head-up tilt. Upon changing from supine to standing position TP (P < 0.05) and LF (P < 0.05) were attenuated in patients with TLE compared to the control subjects. Conclusion. These results suggest that spectral analysis of HR variation from ECG recordings of short duration may add value to assessment of autonomic nervous system function using autonomic cardiac tests in patients with TLE.