Complex character analysis of heart rate variability following brain asphyxia

In the present study Renyi entropy and L–Z complexity were used to characterize heart rate variability (HRV) of rats that were suffered from brain asphyxia and ischemia. Two groups of rats were studied: (a) rats (n = 5) injected with NAALADase inhibitor, 2-PMPA, which has been proven neuroprotective in asphyxia injury and (b) control subjects (n = 5) without medication. Renyi entropy and L–Z complexity of the R–R intervals (RRI) at different experiment stages were investigated in the two groups. The results show that both measures indicate less injury and better recovery in the drug injection group. The dynamic change of 90 min RRI signal after the asphyxia was investigated. The sudden reduction of the two parameters shows their sensitivity to the asphyxia insult.