FASCINATING RHYTHM - A PRIMER ON CHAOS THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION TO CARDIOLOGY

Recent advances in nonlinear mathematics have led to the development of a science called "chaos" and its application to biology and cardiology. We discuss the basics of chaotic behavior, comparing and contrasting it with periodic and random behavior. Also discussed is the way in which nonlinear systems can become chaotic and the applications of chaos to cardiac arrhythmias. Finally, we describe the methods used to study nonlinear systems and seemingly random behavior. Five tools of nonlinear dynamics are described (phase plane plots, return maps, Poincaré sections, fractal dimensions, and spectral analysis). A glossary is included that explains much of the basic vocabulary of chaos theory. © 1990.