Morphology and polarity of electrocardiographic waves in horses (Equus caballus) as a basis for the clinical diagnosis

Abstract

This research is aimed at detecting points on the body surface of horses (Equus caballus), where the morphological and polarity parameters of electrocardiographic waves show a stable behavior, as a basis for the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular system disorders. Eighteen animals of both sexes were used, with an average body weight of 450 kg, between 5 and 6 years of age, in an adequate state of health and with proper nutrition. They were distributed as follows according to race: a) 10 purebred Spanish, b) 2 Arabs, c) 2 mestizos, d) 4 Quarter horse. Sampling was carried out early in the morning in July 2016. As a result, it was obtained that the waves in the bipolar leads of the limbs are very variable, also in those monopolar leads with augmented limbs aVR, aVL and aVF, reason why they are not useful for the diagnosis of electrocardiographic abnormalities not related to arrhythmias. Stable monopolar leads, such as those recorded with the electrodes V1, V5 and V6, were used. It is concluded that there are precordial points where electrocardiographic records are obtained with few variations in the polarity and morphology of the P and T waves and the QRS complex. It is a very useful reference to detect other lesions of the cardiac excitoconductive system, besides those causing arrhythmias.