Sublimation‐like behavior of cardiac dynamics in heart failure: A malignant phase transition?. (26th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldberger, Ary L.; Henriques, Teresa S.; Mariani, Sara
• Is Part Of: Complexity. Volume 21(2016)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2016-07-26
• Subjects: atrial fibrillation -- entropy -- heart failure -- phase transition -- sublimation; Chaotic behavior in systems -- Periodicals; Complexity (Philosophy) -- Periodicals; 003
• DOI: 10.1002/cplx.21811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2787

Abstract

Abstract : An abrupt transition from sinus rhythm to atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We propose a conceptual framework for viewing this malignant transition in terms of a type of sublimation marked by the switch from highly periodic sinus interbeat interval dynamics characteristic of CHF to a state of random disorganization with AF. Sublimation of physical substances involves an increase in entropy via heat transfer. In contrast, the disease‐related sublimation‐like behavior involves a loss of information content, associated decreases in cardiac bioenergetic capacity and in multiscale entropy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 24–32, 2016