Heart rhythm in cardiovascular disorders of neurotic origin

Cardiac rhythm (CR) and vegetative parameters at rest and after a series of short-term loads were compared in normal subjects and neurotic patients with the cardiologic syndrome (group 1) and those with vegetovascular crisis (Group 2). At rest, second-group patients demonstrated the best CR stabilization (by sigma R-R), with the CR oscillation pattern respiratory constituent (RC) diminished and its slow-wave (SW2) constituent prevailing as well as the highest arterial BP and intrasystemic dissociations (the Kerdo index). First-group patients showed the greatest sigma R-R, with the SW2 prevailing in the presence of a greater RC contribution, as compared to group 2 patients. Different patterns of post-exercise change were demonstrated: normal subjects showed increased heart rate, BP and sigma R-R, with doubled SW1 contribution, reduced SW2 and unchanged RC, an evidence of sympathetic mobilization in the presence of vagal pacemaker effects. In second-group patients, heart rate and BP were reduced, the contribution of SW2 increased, and that of SW1 and RC diminished, while the initial CR stabilization by the sigma R-R remained unchanged. Inter-systemic dissociations were demonstrated, using the Hildebrandt index; this combination signals overstrain of the controlling mechanisms, growing centralization of CR control and disadaptation. In first-group patients, BP rose, heart rate and sigma R-R declined, while the CR oscillation pattern remained basically unchanged, suggesting a rigidity of the central adaptation mechanisms.