The effect of obesity and subsequent weight reduction on cardiac morphology and function in cats.

BACKGROUND: In people, obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, associated with systemic hypertension, cardiac remodelling and systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Weight reduction can reverse myocardial remodelling and reduce risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease. In cats, far less is known regarding the effects of obesity and subsequent weight reduction on cardiovascular morphology and function. This prospective study aimed to assess cardiac morphology and function, heart rate variability, cardiac biomarkers and body composition before and after controlled weight reduction in cats with obesity. Body composition analysis (by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, DEXA) and cardiovascular assessment (echocardiography, systemic arterial systolic blood pressure, electrocardiography, plasma cardiac biomarkers) were performed prior to weight management in twenty cats with obesity. These investigations were repeated in eleven cats that reached target weight. RESULTS: At baseline, systemic hypertension was not documented, but the majority of cats with obesity (15 out of 19) showed echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Eleven of 20 cats had increased maximal end-diastolic septal or left ventricular free wall thickness (≥ 6.0 mm) at baseline. Median (interquartile range) percentage of weight lost in the cats reaching target weight was 26% (17-29%), with a median reduction in body fat mass of 45% (26-64%). Both the end-diastolic left ventricular free wall (median magnitude of change -0.85 mm, IQR -0.05 mm to -1.55 mm, P = 0.019; median percentage reduction 14.0%) and end-diastolic interventricular septum (median magnitude of change -0.5 mm, IQR -0.2 mm to -1.225 mm, P = 0.047; median percentage reduction 7.9%) thickness decreased after weight reduction. Following weight reduction, pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging of the left ventricular free wall was consistent with improved diastolic function in 4 out of 8 cats, however there was no significant difference in overall diastolic function class. Further, there was no change in heart rate variability or cardiac biomarkers with weight reduction. CONCLUSION: An increase in left ventricular wall thickness and diastolic dysfunction were common echocardiographic features in cats with obesity within our study and may be reversible with successful weight and fat mass loss. Further studies are required to clarify the clinical consequences of these findings.

Ventricular bigeminy associated with myocardial ischemia in a dog with a colonic torsion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular bigeminy due to myocardial ischemia has been reported in humans as well as in canine patients with obstructive gastrointestinal diseases. This is the first case report of ventricular bigeminy in a dog with a colonic torsion that resolved after fluid resuscitation and restoration of myocardial perfusion. CASE PRESENTATION: An 11-year-old, male neutered mixed breed dog presented with a one day history of vomiting, tenesmus, and lethargy. Physical examination identified an irregular heart rhythm and intermittent pulse deficits. A ventricular arrhythmia represented by ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) organized in bigeminy, was appreciated on a 3-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) with a single lead (II) view. Abdominal radiographs confirmed a colonic torsion. Prior to anesthetic induction, ventricular bigeminy was non responsive to fentanyl or lidocaine. The patient was anesthetized and intravascular volume deficit was identified by dampened plethysmographic wave amplitude (plethysomographic variability), audible softening of the Doppler sound, and more pronounced pulse deficits. Fluid resuscitation was achieved with a combination of intravenous crystalloid and colloid fluid therapy comprising 7.2% hypertonic saline and 6% hetastarch. The patient's cardiac rhythm converted to normal sinus after fluid resuscitation. The colonic torsion was surgically corrected. The patient recovered well from anesthesia and was ultimately discharged from the hospital 5 days later. CONCLUSIONS: The present case report highlights that myocardial ischemia can lead to ventricular arrythmias, such as ventricular bigeminy. This is the first documented case of ventricular bigeminy in the canine patient with a colonic torsion. Assessment of patient volume status and appropriate fluid resuscitation along with continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring are vital to patient stability under general anesthesia.

Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings in Irish Wolfhounds eating high-pulse or low-pulse diets.

BACKGROUND: Apparently healthy dogs of various breeds eating nontraditional, high-pulse diets can have larger left ventricular diameter, lower systolic function, and more ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) compared with dogs eating traditional, low-pulse diets. It is unknown whether Irish Wolfhounds eating high-pulse diets have similar cardiac abnormalities. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To compare electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings between Irish Wolfhounds eating high- or low-pulse diets. ANIMALS: Ninety-seven Irish Wolfhounds. METHODS: Retrospective study of Irish Wolfhounds that had echocardiography performed at dog shows between October 2018 and May 2021. Demographic information, echocardiographic measurements, cardiac rhythm (1-minute lead II rhythm strip), and main diet were recorded retrospectively. Diets were classified as high-pulse or low-pulse based on the presence and location of pulses (peas, lentils, chickpeas, or dry beans) on the ingredient list. RESULTS: Thirty-five of 97 Irish Wolfhounds (36%) were eating high-pulse diets and 62 of 97 (64%) were eating low-pulse diets. There were no significant differences between diet groups in echocardiographic measurements. A significantly higher percentage of dogs in the high-pulse diet group (6/35 [17%]) had VPCs compared with those in the low-pulse diet group (1/62 [2%]; effect size = 0.15 [95% confidence interval: 0.004-0.31]; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In this retrospective study of apparently healthy Irish Wolfhounds, high-pulse diets were associated with a higher prevalence of VPCs which could represent early cardiac abnormalities.

Use of machine learning and Poincaré density grid in the diagnosis of sinus node dysfunction caused by sinoatrial conduction block in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Sinus node dysfunction because of abnormal impulse generation or sinoatrial conduction block causes bradycardia that can be difficult to differentiate from high parasympathetic/low sympathetic modulation (HP/LSM). HYPOTHESIS: Beat-to-beat relationships of sinus node dysfunction are quantifiably distinguishable by Poincaré plots, machine learning, and 3-dimensional density grid analysis. Moreover, computer modeling establishes sinoatrial conduction block as a mechanism. ANIMALS: Three groups of dogs were studied with a diagnosis of: (1) balanced autonomic modulation (n = 26), (2) HP/LSM (n = 26), and (3) sinus node dysfunction (n = 21). METHODS: Heart rate parameters and Poincaré plot data were determined [median (25%-75%)]. Recordings were randomly assigned to training or testing. Supervised machine learning of the training data was evaluated with the testing data. The computer model included impulse rate, exit block probability, and HP/LSM. RESULTS: Confusion matrices illustrated the effectiveness in diagnosing by both machine learning and Poincaré density grid. Sinus pauses >2 s differentiated (P < .0001) HP/LSM (2340; 583-3947 s) from sinus node dysfunction (8503; 7078-10 050 s), but average heart rate did not. The shortest linear intervals were longer with sinus node dysfunction (315; 278-323 ms) vs HP/LSM (260; 251-292 ms; P = .008), but the longest linear intervals were shorter with sinus node dysfunction (620; 565-698 ms) vs HP/LSM (843; 799-888 ms; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Number and duration of pauses, not heart rate, differentiated sinus node dysfunction from HP/LSM. Machine learning and Poincaré density grid can accurately identify sinus node dysfunction. Computer modeling supports sinoatrial conduction block as a mechanism of sinus node dysfunction.

Evaluation of a digital stethoscope for electrocardiographic recording in donkeys: Preliminary results.

The digital stethoscope (DS) is a cost-effective single-lead digital stethoscope that allows simultaneous electrocardiographic (ECG) and phonocardiographic recordings on a smartphone. Despite its application in small animals and horses, there are currently no studies on its use in donkeys. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a new smartphone-based DS device in recording ECG tracings in donkeys. Standard base-apex lead ECG (sECG) and single-lead DS ECG (dECG) were simultaneously recorded for at least 30 s. Both sECG and dECG tracings were analysed by the same operator, recording heart rate, ECG waves and intervals, and the presence and duration of artefacts. Thirty-seven donkeys were included. The dECG tracings were interpretable in all the animals (100 %). The results showed perfect agreement between the sECG and dECG data for the classification of heart rhythm and P-wave polarity. Strong agreement was found in the evaluation of heart rate calculated manually and automatically by the smartphone app, QRS complex polarity, T wave polarity, and duration of the PR interval. However, no agreement was found in the evaluation of P wave duration, QRS complex duration and amplitude, and T wave duration and amplitude. In conclusion, although this is only a preliminary study, the DS was a valid, practical, and easy to use electrocardiographic tool for recording good-quality ECG tracings to assess the ECGs of donkeys in the field.

The impact of skin preparation method on electrocardiogram quality in horses.

Objective: Several skin preparation techniques are used in electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring of horses. The objective of this study was to determine which methods produce the greatest signal quality using textile electrodes and standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes. Animals and samples: Electrocardiogram data were collected using textile and Ag/AgCl electrodes simultaneously for 4 skin preparation techniques in 6 horses. Procedure: The effects of skin preparation (cleansing with isopropyl alcohol, with or without shaving the hair) and the effects of the application of a conductive gel were assessed using metrics of signal quality. Results: Shaving and cleansing with alcohol had no effect on signal quality for either electrode type. The Ag/AgCl electrodes contain a solid gel, and the application of additional gel did not affect signal quality. Data quality was significantly improved when gel was applied to textile electrodes. Furthermore, there was no difference in signal quality between electrode types when gel was used. Conclusion and clinical relevance: This study suggests that skin preparation by cleansing and/or shaving does not have a significant effect on equine ECG signal quality. When gel is used, textile electrodes are a practical alternative for Ag/AgCl electrodes, as they produce ECG recordings of the same quality.

Impact de la méthode de préparation de la peau sur la qualité de l'électrocardiogramme chez le cheval. Objectif: Plusieurs techniques de préparation de la peau sont utilisées lors de la surveillance électrocardiographique (ECG) des chevaux. L'objectif de cette étude était de déterminer quelles méthodes produisent la meilleure qualité de signal en utilisant des électrodes textiles et des électrodes standard argent/chlorure d'argent (Ag/AgCl). Animaux et échantillons: Les données d'électrocardiogramme ont été obtenues simultanément à l'aide d'électrodes textiles et d'électrodes Ag/AgCl pour 4 techniques de préparation cutanée chez 6 chevaux. Procédure: Les effets de la préparation de la peau (nettoyage à l'alcool isopropylique, avec ou sans rasage des cheveux) et les effets de l'application d'un gel conducteur ont été évalués à l'aide de métriques de qualité du signal. Résultats: Le rasage et le nettoyage à l'alcool n'ont eu aucun effet sur la qualité du signal pour les deux types d'électrodes. Les électrodes Ag/AgCl contiennent un gel solide et l'application de gel supplémentaire n'a pas affecté la qualité du signal. La qualité des données a été considérablement améliorée lorsque le gel a été appliqué sur des électrodes textiles. De plus, il n'y avait aucune différence dans la qualité du signal entre les types d'électrodes lorsque du gel était utilisé. Conclusion et pertinence clinique: Cette étude suggère que la préparation de la peau par nettoyage et/ou rasage n'a pas d'effet significatif sur la qualité du signal ECG équin. Lorsque du gel est utilisé, les électrodes textiles constituent une alternative pratique aux électrodes Ag/AgCl, car elles produisent des enregistrements ECG de même qualité.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Cardiovascular images: pacemaker-lead fracture and excessive coiling in a dog.

A seven-year-old male castrated Labrador Retriever presented emergently due to concern for pacemaker malfunction five years after successful transvenous pacemaker implantation to treat partial atrial standstill. On presentation, the dog's pulse rate was 30-50 beats per minute. An electrocardiogram showed no spontaneous atrial activity or paced ventricular activity. Pacemaker interrogation revealed an increased impedance of 7557 ohms, indicating a lead malfunction. Thoracic radiographs confirmed the lead was fractured and had excessive coiling. The transvenous pacing system was turned off, left in place, and an epicardial pacing system was implanted the following day. The dog was discharged with no perioperative complications. The dog eventually required escalated medical therapy for progressive cardiac disease and was euthanized two years after implantation of the replacement pacemaker. This manuscript illustrates a complete lead fracture and excessive lead coiling, which has not previously been detailed in veterinary medicine.

Twenty-four hour continuous transvenous temporary right ventricular pacing in healthy horses.

BACKGROUND: The ability to perform transvenous temporary cardiac pacing (TV-TP) is critical to stabilize horses with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. Reports of successful TV-TP in horses are limited, and only briefly describe short-term pacing. OBJECTIVE: To describe temporary, medium-term (24 h) transvenous right ventricular pacing in awake horses using a bipolar torque-directed pacing catheter. ANIMALS: Six healthy adult institutional teaching horses. METHODS: Prospective experimental study with 2 immediately successive TV-TP lead placements in each horse with a target location of the RV apex. One placement was performed primarily with echocardiographic guidance and 1 primarily with fluoroscopic guidance. In all placements, corresponding images were obtained with both imaging modalities. Horses were then paced for 24 h, unrestricted in a stall with continuous telemetric ECG monitoring. Echocardiographically determined lead position, episodes of pacing failure in the preceding 6 h, and pacing thresholds were recorded every 6 h. Pacing failure was defined as a period of loss of capture longer than 20 s. RESULTS: Pacing leads were placed with both guidance methods and maintained for 24 h with no complications. Two horses with leads angled caudally in the right ventricular apex had no pacing failure, the remaining 4 horses had varying degrees of loss of capture. Leads located in the right ventricular apex had longer time to pacing failure and lower capture thresholds P < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Medium-term TV-TP is feasible and has potential for stabilization of horses with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. Lead position in the right ventricular apex appears optimal. Continuous ECG monitoring is recommended to detect pacing failure.

64-Slice ECG-gated computed tomographic angiography for assessment of coronary arteries in brachycephalic dogs with pulmonary stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Brachycephalic dogs with pulmonary stenosis are known to have a higher incidence of concurrent coronary artery abnormalities than non-brachycephalic breeds, which increases risk when performing balloon valvuloplasty. The use of ECG-gated CT angiography has been reported for the evaluation of coronary arteries in normal dogs and dogs with pulmonary stenosis. The purpose of this study was to report findings of coronary artery origination and morphology of main branches using ECG-gated CT angiography in brachycephalic dogs with pulmonary stenosis. METHODS: An ECG-gated CT angiographic protocol was used to image coronary artery anatomy in nine brachycephalic dogs with pulmonary stenosis. Images were assessed for quality as well as coronary artery morphology by one veterinary radiologist, one veterinary cardiologist and one veterinary radiology resident. RESULTS: All nine dogs had good to excellent image quality. Coronary artery anomalies were identified in three of nine dogs: one R2A anomaly, one L2A anomaly and one L2C anomaly. Two dogs were assessed to be poor balloon valvuloplasty candidates based on CT angiographic images. LIMITATION: Coronary artery morphology was not confirmed via postmortem examination in all patients. CONCLUSION: ECG-gated CT angiography is a minimally invasive imaging modality capable of diagnosing various coronary artery anomalies in brachycephalic dogs with pulmonary stenosis and aiding in the determination of patient candidacy for balloon valvuloplasty.

Pulse-wave analysis during routine blood pressure measurement shows potential to distinguish between sinus and nonsinus rhythm.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether pulse-wave analysis (PWA) performed by trained evaluators facilitates detection of nonsinus rhythm. ANIMALS: Same-day, high-definition oscillometry pulse-wave data and ECG results of 155 animals (144 dogs and 11 cats) were analyzed. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 18 participants from various backgrounds, all of whom received PWA training. The ability to distinguish between sinus and nonsinus rhythms was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The pulse-wave datasets were divided into 5 ECG categories. Agreement between ECG diagnoses and PWA-based arrhythmia detection was evaluated using Cohen κ values, and the correlation between the academic year of veterinary students and their κ values was assessed. RESULTS: All cardiology researchers demonstrated satisfactory accuracy in distinguishing pathological rhythms using PWA (area under the curve, 0.704 to 0.761), with the highest accuracy in detecting atrial fibrillation (area under the curve, 0.811 to 0.845). Fair agreement with ECG categorization was achieved by all 3 cardiology researchers, 2 of 5 general practitioners, and 3 of 10 veterinary undergraduates. The veterinary undergraduates' years of study were correlated with their diagnostic performance (Spearman ρ = 0.658; P = .019). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PWA during routine noninvasive blood pressure measurement showed significant potential for the detection of pathological arrhythmias, notably atrial fibrillation. This approach yielded improved effectiveness when it was used by veterinarians with cardiology experience. Thus, introducing hands-on training courses, particularly those focused on cardiology and interactive workshops, may enable frontline veterinarians to promptly identify arrhythmias using PWA, facilitating timely ECG examinations or referrals.

Clinical outcome of idiopathic juvenile ventricular arrhythmias in 25 dogs.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: Juvenile ventricular arrhythmias in the absence of structural heart disease have been characterized in a small number of canine breeds with limited long-term follow up. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical outcome of dogs with JVA presenting to a university teaching hospital. ANIMALS, MATERIALS, METHODS: Twenty five dogs, less than two years old with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias were retrospectively identified via a medical record search. Young dogs with ventricular arrhythmias were excluded if they had structural heart disease, systemic illness, or an abnormal troponin (if performed). Electrocardiographic and Holter monitor data was evaluated for arrhythmia frequency and complexity at the time of diagnosis and over time. Long-term follow up was achieved through client and primary veterinarian contact. RESULTS: Breeds included German Shepherd (eight), Boxer (four), Great Dane (three), mixed breed (two) and one each of the following: Anatolian Shepherd, French Bulldog, golden retriever, Great Pyrenees, Labrador retriever, Shiloh Shepherd, miniature Poodle and Siberian Husky. The average age at diagnosis was 7.9 months (range, 2-22 months). The overall median survival was 10.96 years (range, 1.75-15.66 years). There was an average reduction in the number of ventricular beats by 86.7 % per year (P value -0.0257) based on Holter data. CONCLUSION: In most cases, idiopathic juvenile ventricular arrhythmias had a favorable long-term prognosis with reduced ectopy over time in this case series. Juvenile ventricular arrhythmias remains a diagnosis of exclusion but can be considered in a broader range of dog breeds than previously described.

Successful high-resolution three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping and radiofrequency catheter ablation of a posteroseptal accessory pathway in a dog using CARTO 3.

A one-year-and-seven-month-old, 28 kg, male castrated crossbreed dog was presented for supraventricular tachycardia causing recurrent episodes of anorexia and lethargy. Sotalol (2.2 mg/kg q12 h) reduced the frequency of symptomatic episodes but did not provide full relief. Three-dimensional electroanatomical mapping was performed at the Ghent University Small Animal Teaching hospital using the CARTO 3. Right atrial activation mapping identified the earliest atrial activation right posteroseptal, near the tricuspid annulus. Fast retrograde ventriculoatrial conduction during tachycardia and extrastimulus testing confirmed the presence of a concealed right posteroseptal accessory pathway. Six radiofrequency catheter ablation applications were delivered, and tachycardia remained uninducible. The dog recovered well from the procedure. Sotalol was stopped three weeks later, and no more clinical signs were noted by the owner. Repeated 24-hour electrocardiography monitoring on day one and at one, three, and 12 months after the procedure showed no recurrence of tachycardia.

Smartphone-based six-lead ECG: A new device for electrocardiographic recording in dogs.

Smartphone-based technology for electrocardiographic recording is now part of the new concept of mobile health in both human and veterinary medicine. Although smartphone-based ECG for electrocardiographic screening in dogs is reliable, one-lead ECG devices have mainly been evaluated. This prospective study assessed the feasibility and the diagnostic reliability of a new smartphone-based six-lead electrocardiograph (smECG) in dogs, in comparison to a standard six-lead electrocardiograph (stECG). All ECG tracings were blindly reviewed by an expert operator, who judged whether tracings were acceptable for interpretation, performed the electrocardiographic measurements, and assigned a diagnosis. The agreement in the electrocardiographic interpretation and diagnosis between smECG and stECG was assessed using the Bland-Altman test and Cohen's k test. The study included 108 client-owned dogs. The tracings obtained by the smECG were interpretable in 100 % of cases. No clinically relevant differences between smECG and stECG were found in the assessment of heart rate, interval duration, and QRS mean electrical axis. The smECG tended to underestimate the amplitude of the P and R waves. Perfect agreement was found in the detection of sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, atrioventricular blocks, and bundle branch blocks. Our study suggests that the tested smartphone-based six-lead ECG is a clinically reliable device for the assessment of heart rate and heart rhythm in dogs, and thus could be used in a clinical setting in dogs and for telemedicine.

Evaluation of a smartphone electrocardiograph in healthy foals and comparison to standard base-apex electrocardiography.

Smartphone-based technology for ECG recording has recently spread as a complementary tool for electrocardiographic screening and monitoring in adult horses and in other animal species. The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and accuracy of a smartphone-based ECG in healthy foals. This was a prospective observational study (authorization n. 45,865/2016) including 22 foals aged less than 21 days. A reference standard base-apex ECG (rECG) was acquired, and a smartphone ECG (sECG) was recorded immediately after by using a smartphone-based single lead electrocardiograph. All ECG tracings were evaluated in a blind fashion by a single board-certified cardiologist, who judged whether the tracings were acceptable for interpretation and performed ECG measurements and diagnosis. The Spearman correlation coefficient, the Cohen's k test and the Bland-Altman test were used to assess the agreement between sECG and rECG. All sECG tracings were acceptable for interpretation. All foals showed sinus rhythm on both rRCG and sECG tracings, with perfect agreement in heart rate classification (κ = 0.87; p < 0.001). No clinically relevant differences were found in the assessment of waves and intervals duration. Concerning P wave and QRS complex polarity, the percentage of agreement between rECG and sECG was 78% and 83%, respectively. About ECG tracing quality, rECG and sECG showed a substantial agreement (κ = 0.624; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the smartphone-based ECG device tested in the present study recorded good quality single-lead ECG tracings in foals, reliable for heart rate and ECG measurements, but different polarity of P waves and QRS complexes was found in some foals in comparison to rECG.

A new bipolar precordial electrocardiographic lead configuration for specific evaluation of atrial depolarization in healthy dogs.

OBJECTIVE: The Lewis lead is an EGC configuration used to detect atrial activity and its relationship with ventricular activity. However, no equivalent configuration has been proposed in veterinary medicine. Therefore, this study explored new bipolar lead configurations to evaluate atrial depolarization and investigated their characteristics by comparing them with conventional leads. The authors hypothesized that a lead with a high absolute value of the P wave (|P|) and a high ratio of the P wave to the QRS complex (|P|/|QRS|) might be an appropriate configuration. ANIMALS: 6 laboratory Beagles were used. PROCEDURES: Electrocardiograms were recorded using bipolar limb leads (I, II, III, aVL, aVF, and aVR) and unipolar precordial leads (C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, M1, M2, M5, M6, 1st-R, CV6LL, and V10) in the standing position. The new bipolar leads were attached in the following configuration: the negative electrode was attached to M6, and the positive electrode was sequentially applied to M1 and M2. The leads were named M6M1 and M6M2. RESULTS: The waveforms obtained using the new bipolar leads M6M1 and M6M2 showed significantly higher |P|/|QRS| and |P| values than those obtained using conventional limb leads and precordial leads. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The new leads achieved a specific enhancement of atrial activity conducted at a reduced ventricular amplitude and increased atrial amplitude, similar to the Lewis lead in human medicine. These findings suggest that M6M1 and M6M2 could be supplemental lead configurations to identify P waves without amplifying the QRS waves compared to conventional methods.

Frequency of arrhythmias detected in 9440 feline electrocardiograms by breed, age, and sex.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of arrhythmias detected in unsedated feline patients from general practice settings. ANIMALS: A total 10,638 feline electrocardiograms (ECGs) were retrospectively collected of which 9440 met the inclusion criteria. METHODS: Recordings were evaluated by a board-certified cardiologist. If an arrhythmia was present in the ECG tracing, the cardiologist categorized the arrhythmia using pre-established keywords. RESULTS: At least one arrhythmia was observed in 249 cases (2.64%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.34-2.98, 249/9440), with the most common arrhythmia encountered being ventricular premature complexes (1.63%, 95% CI: 1.39%-1.91%, 154/9440). Ragdoll cats had the highest odds of arrhythmia (odds ratio (OR): 3.17, 95% CI: 1.43-6.17, P=0.036). Both geriatric (Age: 13+ years, OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.24-2.34, P=0.013) and senior (Age: 10-13 years, OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19-2.37, P=0.003) cats had higher odds of having an arrhythmia than adult cats. The odds of male cats having an arrhythmia were slightly higher than female (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.06-1.76, P=0.018). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Of the 9440 ECGs included in this study, at least one arrhythmia was detected in 249 distinct cases. Arrhythmias were more common in older cats, male cats and the Ragdoll cat breed. While it is important to note that the presence of an arrhythmia alone does not always indicate the presence of heart disease, further research on the association between breed cardiac health is needed.

Use of physical examination, electrocardiography, radiography, and biomarkers to predict echocardiographic stage B2 myxomatous mitral valve disease in preclinical Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

INTRODUCTION: Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) are predisposed to developing myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Dogs with stage B2 MMVD benefit from medication. OBJECTIVES: To develop (1) breed-specific cut-offs for individual screening tests and (2) predictive models utilizing physical examination (PE), ECG, radiograph, and blood-based biomarker variables in combination for identification of echocardiographic stage B2 MMVD in preclinical CKCS. ANIMALS: Adult, preclinical CKCS not receiving cardiac medications (N = 226). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Enrolled CKCS underwent PE, ECG, radiography, Doppler blood pressure measurement, echocardiography, and biomarker testing. Dogs were grouped by MMVD stage using echocardiography only. The discriminatory ability of individual tests to identify stage B2 was assessed, and prediction models were developed using variables derived from four 'tests' (PE, ECG, radiography, and biomarkers). RESULTS: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and radiographic vertebral heart size (VHS) had the best discriminatory ability of individual diagnostic tests to differentiate stage A/B1 CKCS from stage B2, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.855 and 0.843, respectively. An NT-proBNP ≥1138 pmol/L or a VHS ≥11.5 had high specificity for predicting stage B2 (90.1% and 90.6%, respectively). Prediction models incorporating variables from multiple tests had better discriminatory ability than single tests. The four-test prediction model had an AUC of 0.971. Three and two-test models had AUCs ranging between 0.925-0.959 and 0.895-0.949, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both NT-proBNP and VHS have good utility for predicting echocardiographic stage B2 MMVD in CKCS as individual tests. Prediction models incorporating multiple test variables have superior discriminatory ability.

Localization and characterization of atrial depolarization waves on the surface electrocardiogram in dogs with rapid supraventricular tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs), despite having various anatomical substrates and pathophysiological mechanisms, frequently show similar electrocardiographic presentations. OBJECTIVES: To locate and characterize atrial deflections (ADs) on 12-lead electrocardiograms in dogs with sustained rapid SVT and assess the utility of different electrocardiographic variables in differentiating types of tachycardia. ANIMALS: Ninety-two dogs with orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia, 17 with atrial flutter, 33 with focal atrial tachycardia recorded and confirmed by electrophysiological study, and 40 dogs with sinus tachycardia. METHODS: Atrial deflection position on the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram was assessed according to the sequence of intracardiac activation. Its features were evaluated together with the relationship between AD and QRS complex interval (AD-R) and QRS complex and AD interval (R-AD). RESULTS: Orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia was characterized by an AD-AD interval of 213 ± 30 ms, mean electrical axis (MEA) of AD of -90 (-90/-78)°, R-AD interval of 75 (65-80) ms, and R-AD/AD-R of 0.54 (0.45-0.64). Atrial flutter was characterized by an AD-AD interval of 199 ± 57 ms, MEA of 76° (72/81), R-AD of 120 (72-144) ms, and R-AD/AD-R of 0.81 (0.63-1.13). Focal atrial tachycardia was characterized by an AD-AD interval of 270 ± 38 ms, MEA of 49 (-72/76)°, R-AD of 160 (120-200) ms, and R-AD/AD-R of 1.45 (0.92-1.67). Sinus tachycardia was characterized by an AD-AD interval of 292 ± 31 ms, MEA of 66° (52/73), R-AD of 215 (192-222) ms, and R-AD/AD-R of 2.68 (2.25-3.08). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Analyzing AD on 12-lead electrocardiogram is helpful in differentiating the most common SVTs in dogs.

Sodium bicarbonate and salbutamol facilitate recovery from hyperkalemia-induced electrocardiogram abnormalities in bullfrog hearts.

Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte abnormality frequently complicated with chronic kidney disease. By injecting potassium chloride (KCl) solutions intravenously into bullfrogs, we reproduced typical electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities of hyperkalemia in the frog hearts, such as the peaked T waves and the widening of QRS complexes. Simultaneous recordings of cardiac action potentials showed morphological changes that synchronized with those of ECG. After 100 mM KCl injection, the widened QRS complexes continued for a while and gradually restored to their baseline widths. However, pre-treatment with sodium bicarbonate or salbutamol, which directly or indirectly stimulates Na+/K+-ATPase activity, significantly facilitated the recovery from the widened QRS duration, indicating the transcellular movement of potassium ions from the extracellular fluid into the intracellular stores.

A non-invasive, concealed electrocardiogram and bioimpedance measurement system for captive primates.

Captive housed non-human primates, specifically great apes such as chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are frequently reported to have died from or are diagnosed with potentially fatal heart conditions that require the monitoring of physiological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG) or respiratory rate. ECG screening must be conducted after applying full anaesthesia, causing potential physical and emotional stress as well as risk for the animal. Here, we present an electronic system that simultaneously measures the ECG and the electrical bioimpedance for the early detection of abnormal cardiovascular activity. Modified gloves whose fingers are equipped with electrodes enable the caregiver to obtain three cardiovascular signals (ECG, pulse rate and respiratory rate) by placing the fingertips on specific parts of the non-human primate without needing any prior physical preparations. Validation (ECG and bioimpedance) was performed both on humans and on captive housed chimpanzees, where all the signals of interest were correctly acquired.