Evaluation of a new portable 1-lead digital cardiac monitor (eKuore) compared with standard base-apex electrocardiography in healthy horses.
Abstract: Recently, the use of smartphone ECG devices has been reported in humans and animals. Nevertheless, as the electrodes of these devices are inseparable, they can create only a precordial reading in veterinary species. Thus, although the smartphone ECG devices are considered valuable as a screening tool for the detection of some common arrhythmias, they are not always a reliable method for the measurement of the duration of the electrical deflections. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of a novel smartphone ECG device, to report the readings obtained recorded simultaneously with a reference ECG system, and to compare the heart rate and duration of cardiac deflections obtained with the two methods. A total of 28 healthy mares of different breeds and age were included in this study and ECG recordings were obtained simultaneously with a reference ECG telemetry system with surface electrodes attached to the skin with alligator clips using a standard base-apex system and a smartphone ECG device with electrodes positioned alternatively with a standard and a modified base apex derivation. All the recordings obtained were considered acceptable for interpretation. An excellent agreement was found between the two methods for the evaluation of heart rate and polarity of cardiac deflections. No differences regarding number, duration and percentage of artifacts were found. This technology could become a valid diagnostic tool in the cardiological assessment of horses, in particular on the field.
Publication Date: 2021-08-03 PubMed ID: 34343184PubMed Central: PMC8330948DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255247Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explored the reliability of a new portable smartphone ECG device in diagnosing cardiac anomalies in horses by comparing its readings with those of a standard ECG system. The results indicated an excellent agreement between the two devices in heart rate measurements and cardiac deflection evaluations.
Objectives and Methods of the Study
- The prime aim of this study was to ascertain the effectiveness of a fresh out-of-the-box smartphone ECG device and compare its readings with a standard ECG system. These studies intended to provide valuable insights into whether this new tool can be used as a reliable and accessible means for veterinaries to accurately detect cardiac irregularities in horses.
- In order to deliver a fair comparison between the two devices, the researchers adopted a cohort of 28 healthy mares belonging to different breeds and ages. Electrocardiograph recordings were made for all horses simultaneously using the smartphone ECG device and the standard ECG system.
- The standard ECG telemetry device was mounted onto the horses using surface electrodes that were clasped to the skin using alligator clips, while the smartphone ECG device was configured with electrodes that were alternatively placed with a standard and modified base apex derivation.
Findings of the Study
- The researchers noticed an impressive agreement between the evaluations made by the smartphone ECG device and the standard ECG system regarding heart rates and cardiac deflections’ polarities.
- There was no discernible variance regarding the number, duration, and percentage of artifacts found when comparing the data between the two devices. This demonstrates that the smartphone ECG device was able to accurately evaluate and record the cardiac patterns just as effectively as the standard ECG system.
- All recordings obtained from the smartphone ECG device were deemed appropriate for interpretation, which validates its potential as a feasible diagnostic tool.
Implications of the Study
- This pioneering study propounds the potential use of mobile, easily accessible devices such as the smartphone ECG device for veterinary diagnostics – particularly in equine cardiological assessments.
- Given their portability and straightforward usage, these devices may offer efficient, field-friendly alternatives to the current standard base-apex ECG systems.
- However, though the findings from this study are promising, more expansive and diverse studies might further confirm the device’s reliability over a wide range of horses’ breeds, ages, and health conditions.
- The successful adoption of these novel diagnostic tools might revolutionize the veterinary world by making quality care for large animals like horses more accessible and efficient.
Cite This Article
APA
Vitale V, Vezzosi T, Tognetti R, Fraschetti C, Sgorbini M.
(2021).
Evaluation of a new portable 1-lead digital cardiac monitor (eKuore) compared with standard base-apex electrocardiography in healthy horses.
PLoS One, 16(8), e0255247.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0255247 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, San Piero a Grado, Pisa, Italy.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Artifacts
- Electrocardiography / veterinary
- Electrodes
- Heart / physiology
- Heart Rate / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Smartphone
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Al Khamis T, Shawaf T, Almubarak A, Al-Ali MA. Comparison between a fitness tracker (Equimetre(TM)) and standard base-apex electrocardiography in dromedary camels.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:963732.
- Turini L, Bonelli F, Lanatà A, Vitale V, Nocera I, Sgorbini M, Mele M. Validation of a new smart textiles biotechnology for heart rate variability monitoring in sheep.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1018213.
- 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.
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