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Digoxin is a cardiotonic glycoside that is traditionally used for the treatment of heart failure and atrial fibrillation in humans and animals. However, the use of digoxin is still a challenge in clinical practice due to its narrow therapeutic range and its potential interaction with several drugs, which could facilitate the development of toxicity. A 12-year-old Labrador retriever was referred with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure and atrial fibrillation, anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. He had been medicated with digoxin, furosemide, lisinopril, and amiodarone. The patient also showed clinical signs of hip osteoarthritis and received firocoxib for four days. He additionally received drugs for gastrointeritis. The electrocardiogram demonstrated atrial fibrillation and signs of digitalis toxicity. Laboratory examination showed a high concentration of plasma digoxin, and 5 days after withdrawal of the drugs, the symptoms disappeared, as did the digitalis effects seen in the previous electrocardiogram.(AU)

A digoxina é um glicosídeo cardiotônico tradicionalmente utilizado no tratamento de insuficiência cardíaca e fibri-lação atrial em humanos e animais. Porém, o uso da digoxina continua sendo um desafio na prática clínica devido a sua estreita faixa terapêutica, bem como a sua potencial interação com diversos fármacos, facilitando o desenvolvimento de toxicidade. Um Labrador Retriever de 12 anos de idade foi encaminhado com diagnóstico clinico de insuficiência cardíaca, apresentando fibrilação atrial, anorexia, vômitos e diarreia. Ele vinha sendo medicado com digoxina, furosemida, lisinopril e amiodarona. Ele havia sido concomitantemente medicado com firocoxibe por quatro dias para tratamento de osteoartrite coxo-femoral, além de medicamentos para gastroenterite. O eletrocardiograma demonstrou fibrilação atrial e sinais de toxicidade digitalica. O exame laboratorial revelou alta concentração de digoxina plasmática sendo que, cinco dias após a suspensão dos medica-mentos, o paciente já apresentava melhora clinica acentuada, enquanto os efeitos digitálicos observados no eletrocardiograma anterior desapareceram.(AU)

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Background: Electrocardiography is an exam widely used in feline medicine. It consists of recording the electrical activity of the heart in waves representing myocardial depolarization and repolarization. Two electrocardiographic evaluation methods are employed in dogs and cats: computerized and conventional. However, possible differences in ECG results performed by the different methods have been reported. This paper aims to evaluate the observer’s interference in the interpretation of the electrocardiographic exams and possible differences between the methods: conventional single channel, computerized screen and computerized printed of healthy cats. Materials, Methods & Results: Electrocardiographic tracings were obtained from 58 healthy cats, aged between 1 and 10 years-old, of both sexes, of the Persian and mixed breed and therefore interpreted by 4 observers with similar degree of experience. The examinations were performed in a sequential manner, the computerized method first, and then the conventional method. The animals were gently contained in the right lateral decubitus position. The tracings obtained by the conventional method were printed on thermally sensitive graph paper. The computerized method was performed in computer by means of specific software (TEB® ECGPC version 6.2), being the waves delimited by the observer. The tracings were also printed by means of a jet printer, and also interpreted. The morphology of P waves, QRS complexes and T waves were analyzed in the derivations: I, II, III, aVR, aVL and aVF. Heart rate, amplitude and duration of the P, QRS and T waves, PR, QT and heart rate (HR) intervals were calculated in derivation II. Mean electric axis was determined in leads I and III. Comparing the methods, there was a difference observed in the values of P and R waves, QRS complex, QT and PR intervals and T wave polarity. The interpretation of the evaluators presented statistical differences in the duration of the P...

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Background: Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758) are wild suiformes that belong to the Tayassuidae family. Electrocardiography is an important technique for cardiovascular evaluation. Analysis of various intervals, segments, complexesand waveforms of electrocardiographic (ECG) traces aids in the diagnosis of cardiac alterations and in the differentiationof congenital and acquired heart diseases from physiological cases. However, in wild animal medicine, the various patternsof normality and the evaluation of electrical traces associated with heart disease have not yet been sufficiently elucidated.The purpose of this study was to characterize the electrocardiographic (ECG) traces of peccaries sedated using ketamineand xylazine.Materials, Methods & Results: Fourteen healthy adult animals that were subjected to digital ECG examination wereused. Animals with evidence of systemic diseases, cardiovascular abnormalities (murmurs or arrhythmias), or any degreeof valve insufficiency observed on echocardiogram and animals that exhibited excessive stress during the examinationwere excluded from the study. All animals presented with a normal sinus rhythm. A combination of 15 mg/kg of ketaminehydrochloride and 3 mg/kg of midazolam maleate was applied intramuscularly for chemical immobilization. The animalswere manipulated after 15 min, when the onset of the anaesthetic effect was verified, for a duration of 45 min, and noreinforcement dose was necessary to complete the electrocardiographic examination. No significant differences wereobserved in the P-wave duration, PR interval and QT interval between genders (P > 0.05). No significant differences werefound between the amplitudes of the P and R waves between males and females (P > 0.05). The observed P waves weresmall, monophasic and positive. The QRS complex was positive in the DI, DII, DIII, aVF, V4 and V10 derivations andnegative in the aVR, aVL, V1 and V2 derivations...

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Background: The Vertebral Heart Size (VHS) method sets standards for the evaluation of dog’s heart size from the comparison of the cardiac dimension with the length of the thoracic vertebrae through radiographic study. Electrocardiogram(ECG) is widely used in veterinary medicine for the evaluation of electrical conduction system of the heart; however, theincrease of duration and amplitude of the ECG waves can suggest the increase of cardiac chambers in dogs. The scientificliterature presents electrocardiographic and VHS values for dogs of different breeds and sizes; however, there is little information on the correlation of these parameters. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the amplitude and durationof ECG waves, thoracic morphometry and VHS values, in order to correlate these parameters in clinically normal dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty healthy dogs (11 females and 9 males), without breed distinction, medium sized(14.46 ± 2.92 kg) and aged between 1 and 8 years, were evaluated through physical examination, digital ECG (frontaland precordial leads) and thorax X-ray in right lateral (RL), left lateral (LL) and ventrodorsal (VD) projections. Thoracicmorphometry and VHS measurements were determined as previously described. Clinical and ECG parameters were compatible with the references in all dogs evaluated. Dogs presented thorax intermediate (75%) with the depth and width ratio(D/W ratio) > 1.0. Some individual VHS values were higher than the references and the mean VHS values in VD projectionwas higher than in RL and LL projections (n = 20; P < 0.05). Female and male dogs did not differ among the evaluatedparameters. A positive correlation was observed between thoracic morphometry and body weight (r ≥ +0.70; P < 0.001)and a negative correlation was found between the D/W ratio and VD VHS (r = -0.62; P < 0.05). No significant correlationswere observed between the age, ECG parameters, thoracic morphometry and...

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Background: Twenty-four h electrocardiographic monitoring is a noninvasive method of assessing cardiac rhythm. Holter monitoring in farm animals can help assessing heart rate variability and its relationship with stress and production. Several authors have reviewed the normal cardiac rhythm of bovines, but there is little information on heart rhythm in calves. The goal of this research is to elucidate which cardiac rhythms may be considered physiological in Holstein calves, from 3 to 6 months old. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-four h ambulatory electrocardiography (Holter monitoring) was performed in 10 male Holstein calves, with ages ranging from 3 to 6 months old. The animals came from private farms in São Paulo state and were housed in a semi-open stall during the study. The animals had their hair clipped from the third to the fifth intercostal spaces on both sides of the chest, from the sternal region to the glenohumeral joint, and seven electrodes were positioned in a diagonal configuration. Decoding of the recordings was performed using specialized software and in order to minimize digital mistakes, all of the beats marked as ectopic by the software were manually revised by the authors. Mean heart rate was 83.2 ± 11.06 beats per min (bpm), maximum heart rate was 147.1 ± 11.05 bpm, and minimum heart rate was 53.7 ± 7.45 bpm. In 90% of the calves, normal sinus [...]

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A eletrocardiografia constitui ferramenta indispensável no diagnóstico de arritmias e distúrbios de condução elétrica do coração de equinos, bem como na determinação do prognóstico de cardiopatias, do desempenho atlético, da eficiência do treinamento, além de sugerir distúrbios eletrolíticos. No entanto, as variáveis eletrocardiográficas em equinos podem sofrer influência de diversos fatores como a idade, sexo, raça e constituição morfofuncional, dentre outas, tornando-se necessário conhecer as características de normalidade para as diferentes raças e fases do desenvolvimento. Descendentes dos cavalos da Península Ibérica, a raça Crioula foi trazida ao continente americano há mais de quatro séculos, resultando em características físicas e de resistência únicas, dada por sua seleção natural. Desta forma, objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar e comparar os aspectos eletrocardiográficos de fêmeas da raça Crioula, em diferentes idades, bem como avaliar possíveis alterações eletrocardiográficas secundárias a prenhes. Para tanto, 84 éguas hígidas (34 prenhes e 50 não prenhes) da raça Crioula foram submetidas à avaliação eletrocardiográfica digital na derivação ápice-base, e os registros eletrocardiográficos subdivididos quanto à idade em G1 (até 4 anos), G2 (5 a 9 anos), G3 (acima de 10 anos). Não foram observadas arritmias cardíacas fisiológicas ou patológicas e distúrbios de condução elétrica do coração nas 84 éguas. Houve predomino de taquicardia sinusal, ondas P bífidas, complexos QRS do tipo rS e ondas T bifásicas em todos os grupos. Apenas a duração média do complexo QRS foi superior no grupo G1 (110,65±8,49) quando comparadas aos grupos G2 (101,98±10,02) e G3 (100,92±10,72). As variáveis autonômicas mensuradas (ITV, NNmédio e SDNN) foram inferiores nas éguas prenhes em relação às não prenhes, sugerindo maior participação do sistema nervoso autônomo simpático e ou menor participação parassimpática. Conclui-se, portanto, que a idade influenciou apenas na duração do complexo QRS , e que a prenhes foi capaz de diminuir as variáveis de variabilidade da frequência cardíaca no domínio do tempo e, possivelmente, influenciar na avaliação eletrocardiográfica das éguas Crioulas aqui testadas.(AU)

The electrocardiography is an indispensable diagnostic tool to detect heart arrhythmias and electrical conductions disturbances in equines, as well as on prognosis determination of heart diseases, athletical performance, efficiency of training, and on electrolytic disturbance evaluation. However, electrocardiographic variables can be influenced by several factors such as age, gender, breed and phenotypic characteristics. Therefore the establishment of the characteristics of normality for different breed and phases of development is fundamental. Creole breed were firstly introduced to the American continent more than four centuries ago and it descends from horses of Iberian Peninsula. The breed is a result of natural selection that configured resistance and unique physical attributes. The present study aimed to analyze and compare the electrocardiographic parameters of Creole females in different ages, and verify the possibly influence of pregnancy on it. Digital electrocardiographic evaluation on apex-base lead was performed on 84 healthy creole mares (34 pregnant and 50 non-pregnant). The electrocardiograms were divided in groups concerning the age as G1 (until 4 years old), G2 (from 5 to 9 years old) and G3 (over 10 years old). No physiological or pathological heart arrhythmias and electrical conduction disturbances were seen in all examined mares. Sinus tachycardia , bifid P waves, rS configuration of QRS and biphasic T waves were the predominant patterns in all evaluated groups. Only the average of QRS duration of G1 females was significant superior (110,65±8,49) (p=0,0002) when compared with G2 (101,98±10,02) and G3 (100,92±10,72). The autonomic variables (ITV, average NN and SDNN) were lower in pregnant mares comparing to non-pregnant mares, suggesting a greater sympathetic autonomic system tonus and/or decrease of parasympathetic tonus on pregnant mares. In conclusion, the age affect only the QRS duration, and the pregnant condition was capable to decrease the time domain heart rate variability indexes with maybe influence the electrocardiographic evaluation of enrolled Creole mares.(AU)

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A eletrocardiografia computadorizada é mais precisa e prática quando comparada à convencional e por essa razão vem ganhando espaço na rotina clínica. No entanto os valores de referência devem diferir para os dois métodos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar e comparar o exame eletrocardiográfico computadorizado com o exame obtido pelo método convencional em equinos. O estudo demonstrou diferenças na amplitude da onda P (P<0,0001) com valor médio de 0,21 mV para o método convencional e 0,17 mV para o computadorizado; duração do intervalo PR (p=0,0005), tendo o valor médio de 260,49 ms para o método convencional e 242,37 ms para o informatizado e duração do complexo QRS (p=0,0003), sendo a média de valores para o método convencional de 75,61ms e 84,83 ms para o computadorizado. Essas diferenças devem ser levadas em consideração com o intuito de evitar equívocos na interpretação da eletrocardiografia na espécie equina.

Computerized electrocardiography has been gaining space in clinic routines because it is more practical and precise when compared to the conventional method. However, their reference values may differ from each other. The aim of this paper was to analyze and compare computerized and conventional electrocardiography in horses. Differences were observed between P wave amplitude (P<0001) with a mean of 0.21mV in the conventional method and 0.17mV in the computerized method, PR interval duration (p=0.0005) with a mean of 260.49 ms and 242.37 ms in the conventional and computerized methods respectively, and QRS complex duration (p=0.0003) with a mean of 75.61 ms in the conventional method and 84.83 ms in the computerized method. These differences should be taken into consideration in order to avoid misunderstandings in the interpretation of the electrocardiogram in equine species.

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A eletrocardiografia é uma técnica de diagnóstico complementar em cardiologia que atualmente vem sendo cada vez mais empregada na Medicina Veterinária, considerada o padrão ouro para detecção de arritmias. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o perfil eletrocardiográfico de macacos-prego (Cebus apella, Linnaeus, 1758), contidos quimicamente com Cetamina e Midazolam e de catetos (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758) anestesiados com Cetamina e Xilazina. Foram utilizados 14 catetos e 12 macacos-prego, hígidos, oriundos do Núcleo de Estudos e Preservação de Animais Silvestres (NEPAS), da Universidade Federal do Piauí (UFPI), e do Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS) de Teresina, Piauí, respectivamente. Estes animais foram submetidos a exame eletrocardiográfico computadorizado, por meio do eletrocardiógrafo veterinário digital Tecnologia Eletrônica Brasileira (TEB), em 10 derivações, composto por um circuito eletrônico ligado externamente a um notebook, e de um software instalado no disco rígido do computador. Após a realização do exame, os resultados de cada animal foram analisados e feitas as mensurações das ondas sempre em derivação DII. A frequência cardíaca foi mensurada no próprio traçado eletrocardiográfico. Para ambas as espécies, o ritmo sinusal normal foi encontrado em todos os animais. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na duração da onda P, intervalo PR e intervalo QT entre os sexos, bem como para a amplitude das ondas P e R entre machos e fêmeas dos catetos. Para esta espécie, as ondas P observadas foram pequenas, monofásicas e positiva nas derivações DI, DII, aVL, aVF, V2 e V4 e negativa nas derivações DIII, AVR, V1 e V10, para machos e fêmeas. O complexo QRS mostrou-se positivo nas derivações DI, DII, DIII, aVF, V4 e V10, e negativo nas derivações aVR, aVL, V1 e V2. O segmento ST apresentou-se isoelétrico para todos os animais, machos e fêmeas, sem a presença de infra ou supradesnivelamentos. Da mesma forma, para os macacos-prego, não foram observadas diferenças significativas na duração da onda P, do intervalo PR e do intervalo QT entre machos e fêmeas. A onda R mostrou-se positiva nas derivações DI, DII, aVL, aVF, V2, V4 e V10 e negativa em D3, aVR e rV2. A onda T mostrou-se de polaridade negativa apenas na derivação aVR, em todos os animais do estudo, não sendo observada diferença estatística entre os gêneros. O segmento ST mostrou-se isoelétrico em ambos os sexos, sem a presença de infra ou supradesnivelamentos. Os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa poderão embasar estudos futuros com estas espécies silvestres, permitindo extrapolação para as demais, possibilitando um melhor manejo clínico e cirúrgico e segurança aos animais e operadores.

Electrocardiography is a complementary diagnostic technique in cardiology that has been increasingly used in Veterinary Medicine, considered the gold standard for the detection of arrhythmias. The objective of this study was to characterize the electrocardiographic profile of macacos prego (Cebus apella, Linnaeus, 1758), chemically contained with Ketamine and Midazolam, and peccaries (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus, 1758) anesthetized with Ketamine and Xylazine. A total of 14 peccaries and 12 healthy monkeys from the Center for the Study and Preservation of Wild Animals (NEPAS) of the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI) and the Teresina Wild Animals Triage Center (CETAS) were used, respectively. These animals were submitted to a computerized electrocardiographic examination, using the electronic veterinary electrocardiograph, Brazilian Electronic Technology (TEB), of 10 derivations, composed of an electronic circuit connected externally to a notebook, and software installed on the hard disk of the computer. After the test, the results of each animal were analyzed and measurements were made on the computer. The heart rate was measured in the electrocardiographic tracing itself. For both species, normal sinus rhythm was found in all animals. No significant differences were observed in P-wave duration, PR interval and QT interval between the sexes, as well as for P and R wave amplitude between male and female of the chicks. For this species, the observed P waves were small, monophasic and positive in leads DI, DII, aVL, aVF, V2 and V4 and negative in leads DIII, AVR, V1 and V10, for males and females. The QRS complex was positive in the derivations DI, DII, DIII, aVF, V4 and V10, and negative in the derivations aVR, aVL, V1 and V2. The ST segment was isoelectric for all animals, male and female, without the presence of infra or elevations. Likewise, for the male monkeys, no significant differences were observed in P-wave duration, PR interval and QT interval between males and females. The R wave was positive in leads D1, D2, aVL, aVF, V2, V4 and V10 and negative in D3, aVR and rV2. The T wave showed negative polarity only in the aVR shunt, in all the animals of the study, and no statistical difference was observed between the genders. The ST segment showed to be isoelectric in both sexes, without the presence of infra or elevations. The results of this research will contribute unequivocally to the insertion of new information in the scientific environment, and especially to the surgical clinic of wild animals.

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Grande parcela dos primatas que vem a óbito em cativeiro decorre das cardiomiopatias. Estudos determinando os parâmetros cardíacos normais de primatas como o Alouatta guariba clamitans (A. g. clamitans), por meio de radiografia digital, da ecodopplercardiografia e eletrocardiografia, em nosso continente são escassos, na literatura consultada. O estudo foi realizado com 10 Bugios Ruivos (A. g. clamitans) hígidos, sem doença cardiovascular prévia, submetidos à anestesia geral para a realização de exames complementares de avaliação cardíaca. As radiografias foram realizadas afim de definir parâmetros de normalidade nas projeções laterolateral, dorsoventral e ventrodorsal para obtenção do Vertebral Heart Score (VHS). Na ecodopplercardiografia foi avaliado a fração de ejeção, fração de encurtamento do ventrículo esquerdo, tempo de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo, relação átrio esquerdo/aorta, diâmetro da aorta ascendente, tempo de relaxamento isovolumétrico, distância entre ponto E e septo, pico da velocidade de artéria pulmonar, mitral, tricúspide e fluxo aórtico. Na eletrocardiografia mensurou-se a frequência e ritmo cardíacos, eixo elétrico médio do complexo QRS, amplitude de onda P, Q, R, S, T, intervalo P, PR, duração do complexo QRS e segmento ST. As técnicas empregadas dos exames se assemelham às humanas. São apresentados e correlacionados os parâmetros clínicos, radiográficos (VHS), ecodopplercardiográficos e eletrocardiográficos de bugio ruivo. Assim este estudo apresenta o perfil da função cardiovascular de A. g. clamitans

Large number of primates in captivity comes to death from cardiomyopathies. There are few studies in the literature determining the cardiac parameters of Alouatta guariba clamitans (A. clamitans) in captivity in Brazil, by radiography, eletrocardiogram and echodopplercardiography. Ten adult intact howler monkey (A. g. clamitans), were performed, under general anesthesia, the parameters of heart function were evaluated by complementary exams. Vertebral Heart Score (VHS) in dorsoventral, ventrodorsal and lateral projections were measured by radiography. Ejection Fraction, Shortening Fraction of Left Ventricle, Time of Left Ventricle Ejection, Left Atrial/Aortic Root Ratio, Ascending Aortic Diameter, Isovolumic Relaxion Time, E-Point Septal Separation, Peak Velocity of Pulmonary, Mitral, Tricuspid and Aortic blood flow and other values were measured by echodopplercardiography. Heart Rate and cardiac rhythm, mean eletric axis of QRS Complex, P, Q, R, S, T amplitude, P, PR Interval, QRS Complex, QT Interval duration time and ST segment were measured by electrocardiography. The exams technique were similar to humans. Echodopplercardiographic, radiographic, electrocardiographic and clinical parameters of howler monkey were described and correlated. The present results demonstrated the profiles of cardiovascular function examination and structure fo the A. g. clamitans.

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Foram analisados e comparados, os registros eletrocardiográficos (ECG) obtidos pelos métodos convencional (Cv), computadorizado (Cp) e pela leitura direta do registro computadorizado impresso (CpP) de 30 gatos adultos sem raça definida, clinicamente normais e distribuídos em dois grupos: grupo F (n=16 fêmeas) e grupo M (n=14 machos). Para a análise estatística, utilizou-se o teste t. Não foi observada diferença entre os grupos. Entre os métodos, foram observadas diferenças quanto à duração em milissegundos da onda P e do complexo QRS, especialmente em relação ao método computadorizado.