Pelvic Electric Potential as a Marker of Autonomic Dysfunctions and Risk Factor of Neurogenic Arrhythmias in Humans

Abstract

Differential high-resolution ECG (V1-V2) and pelvic electric potential measured between the coccyx and perineum were recorded simultaneously in resting supine position in men with autonomic nervous system disorders (N=37). In healthy volunteers (N=23), the effective (rms) value of PEP presented by median and interdecile range was 30 (20-80) μV within the frequency band of 0.03-80 Hz. In patients, the corresponding value was significantly higher: 140 (80-280) μV. In both groups, the amplitude harmonic spectrum of pelvic electric potential decreased monotonically with frequency according to 1/f1.6 law. In some patients (N=16), rare single or grouped high-amplitude impulses (up to 1 mV) of pelvic electric potential with total duration of about 1 sec were observed; of them, some persons (N=7) demonstrated practically one-to-one synchronous relations between these impulses and arrhythmia episodes indicating abnormal activity of the autonomic nervous system as their most probable common cause. The high-amplitude pelvic electric potential impulses were also observed in ECG records as interference signals with an amplitude attaining 50 μV. Thus, high-resolution ECG and pelvic electric potential can reveal the risk of abnormal neurogenic influences on the heart. The data obtained are discussed in relation to diagnostics of the autonomic nervous system disorders, neurogenic arrhythmias, and risk of sudden cardiac death.