Spectral Analysis of Blood Pressure Variability in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia characterized by desynchronization. of atrial electrical activity causing a consequent irregular ventricular response. Blood pressure (BP) fluctuates in a complex mode composed of both short-term and long-term variability In AF the beat-to-beat variation of BP is increased because of variations in filling time and in contractility However a few studies have analysed short-term BP variations in AF being the interest mainly addressed to 24-hour variations. Aim of this study was to describe BP variability spectrum during AF in short-term recordings. Fifteen patients, referred for electrical cardioversion, with persistent A F were included in the study. An harmonic LF component was observable in all patients' BP spectra, even during AF i.e., in presence of a very irregular RR series.