The theory of chaos in cardiology

Nikolakeas, SP; Hitzanidis, K

dc.contributor.author	Nikolakeas, SP	en
dc.contributor.author	Hitzanidis, K	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T11:45:33Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T11:45:33Z
dc.date.issued	1994	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/37482
dc.relation.uri	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-0027985170&partnerID=40&md5=f5a09c2f079601e33f4039a9ac5b6fb4	en
dc.subject	chaos theory	en
dc.subject.other	fractal analysis	en
dc.subject.other	heart arrhythmia	en
dc.subject.other	human	en
dc.subject.other	prediction	en
dc.subject.other	qrs complex	en
dc.subject.other	review	en
dc.subject.other	theory	en
dc.title	The theory of chaos in cardiology	en
heal.type	other	en
heal.publicationDate	1994	en
heal.abstract	Chaos theory and its fascinating implications have stimulated some interesting research in the fields of Physics, Biology and Medicine. Especially in Cardiology, during the last few years, there has been an increasing number of publications suggesting that the human heart may present a nonlinear system with a fractal-like structure, regarding its anatomy and function. In this condensed review article, some aspects of chaos theory are presented (nonlinearity, fractals, strange attractors, repellers, attractor's dimension, etc.) along with several recent reports associating this theory with cardiac physiology and anatomy. The fractal hypothesis of the His-Purkinje system structure and, consequently, of the electrogenesis of the QRS complex is also reviewed. Extensive research on several experimental chaotic models of cardiac function, focused mainly on the study of ventricular fibrillation, might result in some novel diagnostic techniques or might help in improving defibrillating devices. Deterministic monitoring of heart rate variability might also predict imminent severe arrhythmias in a reliable way. The future prospect for the development of an accurate and reliable nonlinear model of heart function and the novel clinical benefits implied, have inspired researchers internationally. The establishment of the existence of deterministic chaos in biological systems would certainly be a breakthrough in scientific research and it could provide us with a broader view and increased predictability as far as the function of living organisms is concerned.	en
heal.journalName	Hellenic Journal of Cardiology	en
dc.identifier.volume	35	en
dc.identifier.issue	4	en
dc.identifier.spage	397	en
dc.identifier.epage	407	en