Errors in the Estimation of Approximate Entropy and Other Recurrence-Plot-Derived Indices Due to the Finite Resolution of RR Time Series

An analysis of the errors due to the finite resolution of RR time series in the estimation of the approximate entropy (ApEn) is described. The quantification errors in the discrete RR time series produce considerable errors in the ApEn estimation (bias and variance) when the signal variability or the sampling frequency is low. Similar errors can be found in indices related to the quantification of recurrence plots. An easy way to calculate a figure of merit [the signal to resolution of the neighborhood ratio (SRN)] is proposed in order to predict when the bias in the indices could be high. When SRN is close to an integer value
n
, the bias is higher than when near
n
-1/2 or
n
+1/2. Moreover, if SRN is close to an integer value, the lower this value, the greater the bias is.