Larry P. Tilley, DVM, DACVIM (internal medicine), VetMed Consultants, Inc., 1704-B Llano St., Suite 279, Santa Fe, NM 87505.
Larry P. Tilley, DVM, DACVIM
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Indications for electrocardiography include arrhythmias heard on auscultation, breathing problems, shock, fainting or seizures,
cardiac murmurs, and systemic disease that affects the heart (e.g. tumors, kidney dysfunction, heartworm disease). Electrocardiography is also useful as part of the preoperative work-up in
older animals, for monitoring patients during and after surgery, and for evaluating the effects of cardiac drugs. An electrocardiogram
(ECG) is the only test that can accurately diagnose an arrhythmia or a conduction abnormality. And an ECG will help you decide when other diagnostic
tests should be done, including blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography, or even echocardiography.
Perform electrocardiography on a periodic basis in breeds prone to arrhythmias, especially if clinical signs are present.
These breeds include boxers (myocarditis), Doberman pinschers (ventricular arrhythmias and possible cardiomyopathy), German
shepherds (congenital ventricular arrhythmias), and miniature schnauzers (sick sinus syndrome and sinus arrest/block).
ECG analysis: A systematic approach
Most veterinarians can interpret their own patients' ECGs by simply focusing on the heart rate and rhythm. The mean electrical
axis and the size of the complexes can help identify heart chamber enlargement, but the best way to detect cardiac enlargement
in animals is with a thoracic radiograph or an echocardiogram.
It is recommended that practitioners have two electrocardiography machines: an oscilloscope and an electrocardiograph. An
oscilloscope is necessary for monitoring patients during surgery, and an electrocardiograph is needed for clinical diagnostic
testing. The electrocardiograph linked with a strip recorder or printer provides a permanent record. The ECG can be recorded
with the patient in a standing position, or you can use a hand-held unit with the patient in any position. New wireless technology
(e.g. Vmed PC Vet—Vmed Technology, Inc.) also allows an ECG to be done without wires connected directly from an animal to the electrocardiograph.
Before examining an ECG, read the tracing before it is cut and mounted; it is important to study long strips of one lead (usually
lead II) for an accurate analysis of heart rate and rhythm. Lead II is typically used for the analysis of heart rate and rhythm
and for measuring complexes and intervals.
A systematic method for accurate electrocardiographic analysis of a rhythm strip (again, usually lead II) for arrhythmias
includes the following steps:
Step 1. Generally inspect the rhythm strip.
First, determine whether the rhythm is normal sinus or is characteristic of a cardiac arrhythmia.
Next, assess whether the heart rate is rapid, slow, or normal. To easily calculate the heart rate (beats/min), count the number
of beats (R-R intervals) between two sets of marks in the margin of the ECG paper (3 seconds at 50 mm/sec) and multiply by
20. ECG rulers are also available. This is all the measuring we need to do. Measuring the width and height of P-QRS-T complexes
can also be done, but these measurements are not always accurate for a precise diagnosis of heart enlargement.
Step 2. Identify the P-waves.
Determine whether the atrial activity is regular and the P-wave shape uniform.
Step 3. Recognize the QRS complexes.
Evaluate the morphology, uniformity, and regularity of the QRS complexes.
Step 4. Evaluate the relationship between P-waves and QRS complexes.
To assess atrioventricular (AV) conduction, measure the P-R interval, which is the time from the onset of the P wave to the
onset of the QRS complex. In patients with normal sinus rhythm, P-R intervals are constant. By evaluating the relationship
between the P wave and the QRS complex, you can identify the dominant rhythm.
An abnormally long P-R interval may indicate an AV conduction delay or first-degree heart block. If a QRS complex doesn't
follow a P-wave, second-degree heart block is present. A decreased P-R interval may occur with accessory conduction around
the AV node.
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