[Electrocardiography in the horse (1). Principles and normal picture].

The research article focuses on the principles of electrocardiography (ECG) in horses, and the normal patterns that are expected. It highlights the methods and tools used, along with a proposal for systematic evaluation and interpretation.

Understanding Electrocardiography in Horses

The article begins by explaining the physiological and technical basis of electrocardiography, which is based on electrical impulses generated by the heart. An ECG provides a graphical representation of the heart’s electrical activity.

• The physiological basis pertains to how the heart’s electrical signals cause the heart to contract and relax, constituting a heartbeat. These signals can be traced and presented in a waveform which represents one cardiac cycle.
• The technical basis refers to the equipment and methods used to capture these signals. An ECG machine captures these electrical impulses, amplifies them, and then translates them into waveforms that can be visually interpreted.

Applying Electrocardiography in Horses

This section details the specific equipment used for ECG in horses, and how it is applied.

• The electrodes that are used for the recording are bi-polar and are applied through thoracic leads. Bi-polar electrodes refer to a pair of electrodes that when placed on the horse’s body, detect voltage differences between the two.
• The process of fixing these bi-polar thoracal leads on the horse and the practical procedure of doing an ECG-recording is described. This involves ensuring the horse is calm, determining the appropriate placement of electrodes, and using the appropriate ECG cycle for interpretation.

Interpretation of ECG Patterns in Horses

The article goes on to explain what the expected appearance and normal variations of the ECG recording should be for a horse.

• Understanding the normal appearance and expected variations of ECG recordings in horses is crucial for recognizing abnormalities that may indicate underlying heart problems.
• A systematic approach to evaluate and interpret the ECG recordings is proposed. This process can be key in not only diagnosing heart diseases but also in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments.