Interaction between respiratory and RR interval oscillations at low frequencies.

Oscillations in RR interval between 0.02 and 1.00 cycles per second (Hz) have been related to the action of the autonomic nervous system. Respiration has been shown to influence RR interval at normal breathing frequencies between approximately 0.16 and 0.5 Hz in children and adults--a phenomenon known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia. In this study we investigated the effect of respiration on RR interval in a lower frequency range between 0.02 and 0.12 Hz. Low frequency oscillations in respiration were induced in healthy sleeping adult subjects via the administration of a bolus of CO2 during inhalation. Power spectra of RR interval and respiration were obtained before and after the CO2 pulse, and the frequency content in the low frequency range was quantitatively compared. An increase in the spectral energy in both respiration and RR interval was observed for the group. However, this increase was accounted for by six of 29 epochs. We conclude that respiration (tidal volume) can influence RR interval at frequencies below those usually associated with respiratory sinus arrhythmia. This influence may be mediated through a sympathetic reflex. This result is applicable to the measurement and interpretation of heart rate variability and to autonomic influences of low frequency fluctuations in RR interval.