Morphology and amplitude values of the P and T waves in the electrocardiograms of Spanish-bred horses of different ages.
Abstract: This investigation was undertaken to determine values of electrocardiographic parameters in Spanish-bred horses at different stages of growth. The study was carried out on 179 healthy Spanish-bred (Andalusian) horses (98 females and 81 males), which were aged between 1 month and 17 years. The ECGs showed P waves of different configurations. The bifid shape deflection of the P wave was generally more frequent than the simple one in animals from 6 months of age. The first component of bifid P waves (P1) did not vary in a statistically significant way with increasing age, showing a mean value of 0.105 mV. The amplitudes of the P2 (the second component of the bifid P waves) and simple P waves showed statistically significant differences between the age groups. The highest values were found in animals up to 3 months and over 2 years of age. Several configurations of the T wave were observed in the different age groups: a negative shape was generally present for the youngest animals (foals up to 2 years old); the biphasic (/+) pattern became more frequent in animals 3 and 4 years old. In adult horses the positive configuration was the most frequent. No statistically significant differences according to age were found for the amplitude values of the different T-wave configurations.
Publication Date: 1999-07-10 PubMed ID: 10399481DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00207.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research analyzes the variations in electrocardiogram readings of Spanish-bred horses at different growth stages. In the study, they find that the amplitudes of particular waves in the electrocardiograms show significant differences across age groups, but some do not.
Methods and Sample
- The study involved 179 healthy Spanish-bred (Andalusian) horses of both sexes, ages varying from one month to 17 years.
- Electrocardiograms (ECGs), a standard test that measures the electrical activity of the heart, were used to gather data.
Findings
- The P waves, which represent the electrical stimulus that initiates contraction of the heart’s atria, showed different patterns and configurations across the horses. It was primarily bifid (two-pronged) with two components dubbed P1 and P2.
- The first component of these bifid P waves (P1) remained fairly consistent irrespective of the age of the horse.
- In contrast, the second component (P2) as well as the simple P waves showed significant differences in amplitude values based on the age. Specifically, the highest values were found in the very young (up to three months old) and older horses (over two years).
- The T waves, which represent the electrical recovery or return to a resting state of the ventricles, the heart’s lower chambers, also showed several configurations changing with age.
- In foals up to about 2 years, a negative configuration of T waves was usually seen. As they aged (around 3 to 4 years), a biphasic pattern became more common.
- In adult horses, the positive configuration was predominant.
- However, the amplitude of the T waves, unlike some P waves, did not show any significant variance based on the horses’ age.
Implications
- The identification of these patterns and differences can help establish normative data for different phases of growth in Spanish-bred horses.
- This research can be beneficial in diagnosing and treating heart related issues in such horses as changes in the ECG patterns can often indicate heart disorders.
Cite This Article
APA
Ayala I, Gutierrez C, Benedito JL, Hernández J, Castillo C, López Alonso M, Miranda M, Montes A.
(1999).
Morphology and amplitude values of the P and T waves in the electrocardiograms of Spanish-bred horses of different ages.
Zentralbl Veterinarmed A, 46(4), 225-230.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.1999.00207.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Departamento de Patología Animal (Medicina Veterinaria), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Spain.
MeSH Terms
- Aging / physiology
- Animals
- Electrocardiography / standards
- Electrocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Heart / physiology
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Reference Values
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Triguinho A, Fontes-Sousa AP, Pimenta J, Cotovio M. Electrocardiographic Reference Values in Clinically Healthy Lusitano Horses. Vet Sci 2023 Aug 10;10(8).
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