Heart Rate Information Flow Specifically Assesses Complex Cardiovascular Communication Alterations due to Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome

Background: The multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) as a consecutive failure of several organs has still an unexpected high mortality of more than 50%. Autonomic dysfunction as a feature of an impaired interorgan communication might facilitate the development of MODS („uncoupling“ of organs in MODS) and has prognostic implications. This complex interorgan communication is reflected by the information flow of heart rate fluctuations. The present study is aimed at the identification of specific communication deficits based on the time scale of information flow. Methods and Results: 36 MODS patients (28 days…