The Impact of Frailty Index on Heart Rate Variability

doi:10.16048/j.issn.2095-5561.2025.04.13

Abstract：Objective To explore the impact of the frailty index on heart rate variability. Methods A total of 100 patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery at the General Hospital of the Northern Theater Command from March 2020 to August 2023 were selected. There were 53 males and 47 females, with a mean age of (70.5±5.2) years (age range 65-85 years). The frailty status of the patients was assessed, and heart rate variability [time-domain parameters including root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), frequency-domain parameters including low frequency and high frequency] as well as postoperative recovery conditions were compared between different frailty groups. Results There were 50 patients with low frailty index and 50 patients with high frailty index. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the high frailty index group compared to the low frailty index group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The levels of RMSSD and SDNN were higher in the low frailty index group compared to the high frailty index group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The levels of low frequency and high frequency were also higher in the low frailty index group compared to the high frailty index group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The postoperative hospital stay was shorter and the incidence of complications was lower in the low frailty index group compared to the high frailty index group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion The degree of frailty in patients may affect the function of the autonomic nervous system and may have an impact on the postoperative recovery process.