Sublimation-like behavior of cardiac dynamics in heart failure: A malignant phase transition?

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Goldberger, AL (Author) Other; Henriques, TS (Author) Other; Mariani, S (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Complexity

Vol. 21

Pages: 24-32

ISSN: 1076-2787

Publisher: Hindawi

Indexing

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-9Z5

DOI: 10.1002/cplx.21811

Abstract (EN): An abrupt transition from sinus rhythm to atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We propose a conceptual framework for viewing this malignant transition in terms of a type of sublimation marked by the switch from highly periodic sinus interbeat interval dynamics characteristic of CHF to a state of random disorganization with AF. Sublimation of physical substances involves an increase in entropy via heat transfer. In contrast, the disease-related sublimation-like behavior involves a loss of information content, associated decreases in cardiac bioenergetic capacity and in multiscale entropy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 24¿32, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific