We compare three recently applied methods for analyzing heart rate variabil
ity: detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), multiresolution wavelet analysis
(WAV) and detrended time series analysis (DTS). In the comparison, both sc
ale-dependent and scale-independent measures are considered. In agreement w
ith recent results by Thurner et al.,(9) we conclude that scale-dependent m
easures are well suited to separate healthy subjects from patients with hea
rt disease. However, as regards the use in Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival
curves, scale-independent measures (generally slope values) clearly outper
form scale dependent measures (generally rms values). The comparison is mai
nly based on a database containing recordings from 428 patients with heart
disease (myocardial infarct) and on a database containing 105 healthy subje
cts and 11 heart patients.