AR spectral estimation in the analysis of HRV signal in patients with ectopies during dialytic sessions

An AutoRegressive (AR) model spectral estimation is employed in the study of the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) signal obtained during hemodialytic (HD) treatments characterized by the presence of numerous cardiac arrhythmias. The AR spectral estimation is implemented in a such a way to reduce the impact of ectopic beats on the analysis of HRV signal. The spectral parameters (LF, HF powers, LF/HF ratio), which are able to quantify the sympatho-vagal balance in the setting of heart rate values, are estimated by means of a batch spectral analysis with the aim to extract more information about the mechanisms regulating cardiac frequency during HD sessions.