[Nonlinear dynamics, chaos theory and wavelet analysis of the heart]

Abstract

Over the past years, techniques of nonlinear dynamics have gained increasing attention in cardiology. This kind of partly interdisciplinary research is supposed to provide a better understanding of cardiac disease, especially in the field of tachyarrhythmia. This article intends to introduce the principles of diagnostic procedures in terms of nonlinear dynamics, chaos theory and stochastic processes related to cardiology. An introduction to a new technique of wavelet analysis is given, and possible applications in the quantitative classification of high-risk patients for sudden cardiac death are discussed.