FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Cardiac Mean Electrical Axis in Thoroughbreds-Standardizatio...
PloS one2017; 12(1); e0169619; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169619

Cardiac Mean Electrical Axis in Thoroughbreds-Standardization by the Dubois Lead Positioning System.

Abstract: 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. 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 São 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 were compared between the two methods. Results: There was significant difference in cardiac axis values: MEA obtained by the Tilley tables was +135.1° ± 90.9° vs. -81.1° ± 3.6° (p<0.0001), and by trigonometric calculation it was -15.0° ± 11.3° vs. -79.9° ± 7.4° (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. Conclusions: 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.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2017-01-17 PubMed ID: 28095442PubMed Central: PMC5241011DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169619Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research aimed to identify the most reliable electrocardiographic (ECG) electrodes positioning method for determining the mean cardiac axis (MEA) in horses. The study concluded that the Dubois lead positioning system provides the most accurate MEA values in equines.

Introduction

  • This research intended to establish the best methodologies for electrocardiographic (ECG) acquisition in horses since various techniques have been in use since the initial ECG recordings were reported in the last century.
  • The focus was to determine the ideal ECG electrodes positioning method and develop a reliable way to calculate the Mean Cardiac Axis (MEA) in horses. The MEA is a crucial value in understanding the overall electrical activity of the heart.

Methodology

  • 53 clinically healthy thoroughbreds (38 males and 15 females aged 2 to 7 years) from the São Paulo Jockey Club in Brazil were included in the study.
  • Each animal underwent two ECG tracings, one using the Dubois lead positioning system, and the other using the base-apex method.
  • MEA values were then determined from the amplitudes of the QRS complex for each electrode positioning method using two calculation methods: Tilley tables and trigonometric calculation.

Results

  • The study found a significant difference in cardiac axis values depending on the method of calculation and ECG lead positioning system used.
  • MEA obtained by the Tilley tables was +135.1° ± 90.9° for the base-apex method vs. -81.1° ± 3.6° for the Dubois method. Meanwhile, by trigonometric calculation, it was -15.0° ± 11.3° (base-apex) vs. -79.9° ± 7.4° (Dubois).
  • The Dubois method displayed a smaller range of variation, showing no statistical or clinical difference by either calculation mode. The base-apex method, on the other hand, demonstrated a wide variation.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that the Dubois lead positioning system was superior in obtaining the mean cardiac axis in equines.
  • The Dubois method was identified as being instrumental in improving the centralization of the Thoroughbreds’ hearts, presenting what could be the actual frontal plane.
  • The Dubois method proved to be the most reliable methodology regardless of the calculation technique used.

Cite This Article

APA
da Costa CF, Samesima N, Pastore CA. (2017). Cardiac Mean Electrical Axis in Thoroughbreds-Standardization by the Dubois Lead Positioning System. PLoS One, 12(1), e0169619. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169619

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: e0169619
PII: e0169619

Researcher Affiliations

da Costa, Cássia Fré
  • Clinical Unit of Electrocardiography, Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Samesima, Nelson
  • Clinical Unit of Electrocardiography, Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Pastore, Carlos Alberto
  • Clinical Unit of Electrocardiography, Heart Institute (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electrocardiography / instrumentation
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Electrodes
  • Female
  • Heart / physiology
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Physical Conditioning, Animal / standards

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

References

This article includes 22 references
  1. . A (not so) brief history of electrocardiography.. .
  2. Fernandes WR, Larsson MH MA, Alves ALG, Fantoni DT, Belli CB. Características eletrocardiográficas em equinos clinicamente normais da raça Puro Sangue Inglês. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 56(2), 143–149.
  3. Melchert A, Laposy CB, Guasi VHB, Valle HFD, Santos GC. Eletrocardiografia computadorizada em cavalos Puro Sangue Lusitano submetidos a exercício físico. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 64(3), 547–554.
  4. Trachsel DS, Bitschnau C, Waldern N, Weishaupt MA, Schwarzwald CC. Observer agreement for detection of cardiac arrhythmias on telemetric ECG recordings obtained at rest, during and after exercise in 10 Warmblood horses.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):208-15.
    pubmed: 21059008doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00172.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  5. Diniz MP, Michima LES, Fernandes WR. Estudo eletrocardiográfico de equinos de salto sadios. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 31(4), 355–361.
  6. Marr CM. Cardiology of the horse. Marr CM, Bowen IM.(eds) 2nd ed. London: Saunders, Elsevier. 300p..
  7. Ayala I, Gutierrez-Panizo C, Benedito JL, Prieto F, Montes A. Morphology and amplitude values of the electrocardiogram of Spanish-bred horses of different ages in the Dubois leads system.. Vet Res 2000 May-Jun;31(3):347-54.
    doi: 10.1051/vetres:2000124pubmed: 10863951google scholar: lookup
  8. Dumont CBS, Leite CR, Moraes JM, Alves RO, Godoy RF, Lima EMM. Parâmetros eletrocardiográficos de equinos Puro Sangue Árabe submetidos a exercício prolongado de enduro. Ciência Rural 40(9), 1966–1973.
  9. Tilley LP. Essentials of canine and feline electrocardiography: interpretation and treatment. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 470p..
  10. Bayés de Luna A. Basic Electrocardiograpy: Normal and Abnormal ECG Patterns. (3rd ed.) Blackwell Futura: Armonk, NY, 2008. 184 pp.
  11. . The Brazilian Stud Book. http://www.studbook.com.br/solicita_nome_animal_campanha.htm. Accessed on March 31st, 2016..
  12. Colahan PT, Mayhew IG, Merritt AM, Moore JN. Equine Medicine and Surgery. 4th ed. California: American Veterinary Publications, Inc., pp.187–199.
  13. Ansari A, Ho SY, Anderson RH. Distribution of the Purkinje fibres in the sheep heart.. Anat Rec 1999 Jan;254(1):92-7.
    pubmed: 9892422doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0185(19990101)254:1<92::aid-ar12>3.0.co;2-3google scholar: lookup
  14. Sánchez-Quintana D, Yen Ho S. [Anatomy of cardiac nodes and atrioventricular specialized conduction system].. Rev Esp Cardiol 2003 Nov;56(11):1085-92.
    pubmed: 14622540doi: 10.1016/s0300-8932(03)77019-5google scholar: lookup
  15. Paslawska U, Paslawski R, Noszczyk-Nowak A, Michlik K, Nicpón J. Physiological ECG value for Polish half-breed anglo-arab horses. Bull Vet. Inst. Pulawy 56, 631–635.
  16. Holmes JR, Alps BJ. Studies into equine electrocardiography and vectorcardiography: I. Cardiac electric forces and the dipole vector theory.. Can J Comp Med Vet Sci 1967 Apr;31(4):92-102.
    pmc: PMC1494657pubmed: 17649586
  17. Helm RA, Chou TC. Electrocardiographic cancellation. A study of a single dipole at variable locations.. Am Heart J 1966 Aug;72(2):218-37.
    pubmed: 5915558doi: 10.1016/0002-8703(66)90446-7google scholar: lookup
  18. Palma JM, Caniello NT, Sousa TC, Bello CAO, Dumont CBS, Lima EMM. Avaliação eletrocardiográfica em potros Quarto de Milha de diferentes idades. Uberlândia 29(1), 174–178.
  19. Buhl R, Meldgaard C, Barbesgaard L. Cardiac arrhythmias in clinically healthy showjumping horses.. Equine Vet J Suppl 2010 Nov;(38):196-201.
    pubmed: 21059006doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00185.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  20. Slack J, Boston RC, Soma LR, Reef VB. Occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias in Standardbred racehorses.. Equine Vet J 2015 Jul;47(4):398-404.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.12299pubmed: 24819401google scholar: lookup
  21. Dumont CBS, Moraes JM, Leite CR, Alves RO, Moreira M, Moscardini ARC, Godoy RF, Lima EMM. Parâmetros eletrocardiográficos de equinos desclassificados por exaustão em competições de enduro. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 63(1), 20–27.
  22. Grauer K. A Practical Guide to ECG Interpretation. (2nd ed.) Mosby: New York, 1998. 492 pp..

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Kenchaiwong W, Sangpo P, Kusol A, Pontaema T, Lerdweeraphon W. The position of ground electrode affects electrocardiographic parameters in horses.. Vet World 2022 Apr;15(4):1107-1112.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1107-1112pubmed: 35698497google scholar: lookup
  2. Miranda ALS, Antunes BC, Minozzo JC, Lima SA, Botelho AFM, Campos MTG, Chávez-Olórtegui CD, Soto-Blanco B. Clinical Effects of the Immunization Protocol Using Loxosceles Venom in Naïve Horses.. Toxins (Basel) 2022 May 13;14(5).
    doi: 10.3390/toxins14050338pubmed: 35622586google scholar: lookup
  3. Hesselkilde EM, Isaksen JL, Petersen BV, Carstensen H, Jespersen T, Pehrson S, Kanters JK, Buhl R. A novel approach for obtaining 12-lead electrocardiograms in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):521-531.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15980pubmed: 33274799google scholar: lookup
  4. Cherdchutham W, Koomgun K, Singtoniwet S, Wongsutthawart N, Nontakanun N, Wanmad W, Petchdee S. Assessment of cardiac variables using a new electrocardiography lead system in horses.. Vet World 2020 Jun;13(6):1229-1233.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.1229-1233pubmed: 32801577google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,344 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.