A Smart Textile Band Achieves High-Quality Electrocardiograms in Unrestrained Horses.

Electrocardiography (ECG) is an essential tool in assessing equine health and fitness. However, standard ECG devices are expensive and rely on the use of adhesive electrodes, which may become detached and are associated with reduced ECG quality over time. Smart textile electrodes composed of stainless-steel fibers have previously been shown to be a suitable alternative in horses at rest and during exercise. The objective of this study was to compare ECG quality using a smart textile girth band knit with silver and carbon yarns to standard adhesive silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes. Simultaneous three-lead ECGs were recorded using a smart textile band and Ag/AgCl electrodes in 22 healthy, mixed-breed horses that were unrestrained in stalls. ECGs were compared using the following quality metrics: Kurtosis (k) value, Kurtosis signal quality index (kSQI), percentage of motion artifacts (%MA), peak signal amplitude, and heart rate (HR). Two-way ANOVA with Tukey's multiple comparison tests was conducted to compare each metric. No significant differences were found in any of the assessed metrics between the smart textile band and Ag/AgCl electrodes, with the exception of peak amplitude. Kurtosis and kSQI values were excellent for both methods (textile mean k = 21.8 ± 6.1, median kSQI = 0.98 [0.92−1.0]; Ag/AgCl k = 21.2 ± 7.6, kSQI = 0.99 [0.97−1.0]) with <0.5% (<1 min) of the recording being corrupted by MAs for both. This study demonstrates that smart textiles are a practical and reliable alternative to the standard electrodes typically used in ECG monitoring of horses.

Description and validation of a new descriptive and multiparametric numeric rating scale to assess sedation in cats.

The objective of this study was to design and assess the validity and reliability of a new feline multiparametric sedation scale (FMSS). A total of 89 household cats were recruited, enabling a total of 534 sedation assessments. Every assessment was performed by 3 blinded observers with varying expertise levels (Level 1: Student; Level 2: RVT; Level 3: ACVAA diplomate or senior resident). For comparison purposes, a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a Simple Qualitative Scale (SQS) were also used concurrently, with the VAS considered the gold standard. The new scale had excellent inter-observer agreement among experience groups with weighted Kappa scores of 0.84 (Levels 1 versus 2), 0.82 (Levels 2 versus 3), and 0.84 (Levels 1 versus 3), with P < 0.0001 for all comparisons. There was a high degree of association between FMSS and VAS (r = 0.90, P < 0.0001) and between FMSS and SQS (r = 0.89, P < 0.0001). Final FMSS numerical values were paired with levels of sedation with None = 0 (0 to 5), Mild = 4 (1 to 7), Moderate = 6 (2 to 10), and Profound = 12 (7 to 12); furthermore, differences were detected between pre- and post-sedation evaluations (P = 0.001). This scale demonstrated internal consistency and sensitivity even when evaluating drugs or doses with minimal sedative effects and there was very strong interrater reliability, independent of experience level. Based on this clinical study, we concluded that the use of this sedation scale is appropriate when objective numerical sedation quantification is required, in either a clinical or research setting.

Description et validation d'une nouvelle échelle d'évaluation numérique descriptive et multiparamétrique pour évaluer la sédation chez le chat. L'objectif de cette étude était de concevoir et d'évaluer la validité et la fiabilité d'une nouvelle échelle de sédation multiparamétrique féline (FMSS). Un total de 89 chats domestiques a été recruté, permettant un total de 534 évaluations de sédation. Chaque évaluation a été effectuée par trois observateurs en aveugle avec différents niveaux d'expertise (Niveau 1 : étudiant; Niveau 2 : RVT; Niveau 3 : diplomate de l'ACVAA ou résident senior). À des fins de comparaison, une échelle visuelle analogique (VAS) et une échelle qualitative simple (SQS) ont également été utilisées simultanément, VAS étant considérée comme l'étalon. La nouvelle échelle présentait un excellent accord inter-observateurs parmi les groupes d'expérience avec des scores Kappa pondérés de 0,84 (niveaux 1 versus 2), 0,82 (niveaux 2 versus 3) et 0,84 (niveaux 1 versus 3), avec P < 0,0001 pour toutes les comparaisons. Il y avait un degré élevé d'association entre FMSS et VAS (r = 0,90, P < 0,0001) et entre FMSS et SQS (r = 0,89, P < 0,0001). Les valeurs numériques FMSS finales ont été appariées avec les niveaux de sédation avec Aucun = 0 (0 à 5), Léger = 4 (1 à 7), Modéré = 6 (2 à 10) et Profond = 12 (7 à 12); en outre, des différences ont été détectées entre les évaluations pré- et post-sédation (P = 0,001). Cette échelle a démontré une cohérence interne et une sensibilité même lors de l'évaluation de médicaments ou de doses avec des effets sédatifs minimes et il y avait une très forte fiabilité inter-évaluateur, indépendamment du niveau d'expérience. Sur la base de cette étude clinique, nous avons conclu que l'utilisation de cette échelle de sédation est appropriée lorsqu'une quantification numérique objective de la sédation est requise, dans un cadre clinique ou de recherche.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).