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System identification: a multi-signal approach for probing neural cardiovascular regulation

REVIEW ARTICLE

Xinshu Xiao1, Thomas J Mullen2 and Ramakrishna Mukkamala3

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TOPICAL REVIEW

Short-term, beat-to-beat cardiovascular variability reflects the dynamic interplay between ongoing perturbations to the circulation and the compensatory response of neurally mediated regulatory mechanisms. This physiologic information may be deciphered from the subtle, beat-to-beat variations by using digital signal processing techniques. While single signal analysis techniques (e.g., power spectral analysis) may be employed to quantify the variability itself, the multi-signal approach of system identification permits the dynamic characterization of the neural regulatory mechanisms responsible for coupling the variability between signals. In this review, we provide an overview of applications of system identification to beat-to-beat variability for the quantitative characterization of cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms. After briefly summarizing the history of the field and basic principles, we take a didactic approach to describe the practice of system identification in the context of probing neural cardiovascular regulation. We then review studies in the literature over the past two decades that have applied system identification for characterizing the dynamical properties of the sinoatrial node, respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and the baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity, heart rate and total peripheral resistance. Based on this literature review, we conclude by advocating specific methods of practice and that future research should focus on nonlinear and time-varying behaviors, validation of identification methods, and less understood neural regulatory mechanisms. Ultimately, we hope that this review stimulates such future investigations by both new and experienced system identification researchers.


PACS

87.19.Hh Cardiac dynamics

87.85.Xd Dynamical, regulatory, and integrative biology

87.19.L- Neuroscience

87.19.U- Hemodynamics

47.63.Cb Blood flow in cardiovascular system

87.19.X- Diseases

Subjects

Fluid dynamics

Medical physics

Biological physics

Dates

Issue 3 (June 2005)

Received 25 August 2004, in final form 19 November 2004

Published 1 February 2005



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