Analysis of heart rate and beat-to-beat variability: Interval difference index.

The relationshp between the RR interval length (RR) and the RR interval-to-interval differences (RR differences) was investigated. Data on heart rate were obtained from 11 newborn infants in well-defined behavioral states undergoing polygraphy. It was found that the RR differences were strongly dependent on the RR interval length in all behavioral states. The relationship between the RR differences (y) and the interval length (RR) could be described by the equation y = alpha (RR-320)1.5 for the interval length in the investigated range from 375 to 605 msec. On the basis of this relationship the interval difference index (ID index) was constructed for the quantification of beat-to-beat heart rate variability. The ID index showed good independence from the long-term irregularity index (LTI index). Other statistical parameters proposed for the quantification of beat-to-beat heart rate variability are discussed and compared with the ID index.