Alterations in Temporal Patterns of Heart Rate Variability after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Abstract

HRV is reduced after uncomplicated coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Although we cannot exclude the effects of uncontrolled variables in this reduction of postoperative HRV, the observed changes in HRV did not appear to result from general anesthesia, perioperative stress responses, and other factors associated with the early postoperative period. These data are consistent with the supposition that cardiac autonomic nervous system function is impaired after cardiac surgery.