| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
da Costa, Cassia Fre
;
Samesima, Nelson
;
Pastore, Carlos Alberto
Total Authors: 3
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | PLoS One; v. 12, n. 1 JAN 17 2017. |
| Web of Science Citations: | 0 |
| Abstract | |
Background Different methodologies for electrocardiographic acquisition in horses have been used since the first ECG recordings in equines were reported early in the last century. This study aimed to determine the best ECG electrodes positioning method and the most reliable calculation of mean cardiac axis (MEA) in equines. Materials and Methods We evaluated the electrocardiographic profile of 53 clinically healthy Thoroughbreds, 38 males and 15 females, with ages ranging 2-7 years old, all reared at the Sao Paulo Jockey Club, in Brazil. Two ECG tracings were recorded from each animal, one using the Dubois lead positioning system, the second using the base-apex method. QRS complex amplitudes were analyzed to obtain MEA values in the frontal plane for each of the two electrode positioning methods mentioned above, using two calculation approaches, the first by Tilley tables and the second by trigonometric calculation. Results There were compared between the two methods. Results There was significant difference in cardiac axis values: MEA obtained by the Tilley tables was +135.1 degrees +/- 90.9 degrees vs. -81.1 degrees +/- 3.6 degrees (p<0.0001), and by trigonometric calculation it was -15.0 degrees +/- 11.3 degrees vs. -79.9 degrees +/- 7.4 degrees (p<0.0001), base-apex and Dubois, respectively. Furthermore, Dubois method presented small range of variation without statistical or clinical difference by either calculation mode, while there was a wide variation in the base-apex method. Conclusion Dubois improved centralization of the Thoroughbreds' hearts, engendering what seems to be the real frontal plane. By either calculation mode, it was the most reliable methodology to obtain cardiac mean electrical axis in equines. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 13/15320-0 - New electrocardiographic score to racehorses predicts better cardiovascular physical fitness |
| Grantee: | Carlos Alberto Pastore |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |