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

Over the past years, techniques of nonlinear dynamics have gained increasin g attention in cardiology. This kind of partly interdisciplinary research i s supposed to provide a better understanding of cardiac disease, especially in the field of tachyarrhythmia. This article intends to introduce the pri nciples of diagnostic procedures in terms of nonlinear dynamics, chaos theo ry and stochastic processes related to cardiology. An introduction to a new technique of wavelet analysis is given, and possible applications in the q uantitative classification of high-risk patients for sudden cardiac death a re discussed.