Complexity analysis of 24 hours heart rate variability time series.

We propose to study the heart rate variability (HRV) time series complexity by computing the Lempel Ziv complexity measure. LZ is sensitive to the rate of pattern recurrences in a time series. Analysis considers 24 h HRV time series of healthy subjects and patients with cardiovascular diseases. Analysis with simulated signals show the LZ measure can vary depending on the adopted coding process. The binary coding, proposed in this work, is sensitive to the different dynamical systems generating the time series, as the ternary coding is sensitive to the presence of stationary states, i.e. a consecutive repetition of the same RR interval value. LZ method reliably differentiates healthy vs. disease group. Further clinical investigations on the LZ complexity and on its relationship to the risk of sudden death, can supply new diagnostic indications.