Comparison of P-wave dispersion in healthy dogs, dogs with chronic valvular disease and dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction

Abstract

BackgroundP-wave dispersion (Pd) is a new ECG index used in human cardiology and veterinary medicine. It is defined as the difference between the maximum and the minimum P-wave duration recorded from multiple different ECG leads. So far no studies were performed assessing the importance of P-wave dispersion in dogs.MethodsThe current study was aimed at determining proper value of Pd in healthy dogs (group I), dogs with chronic valvular disease (group II) and dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction (group III). The tests were carried out in 53 healthy dogs, 23 dogs with chronic valvular disease and 12 dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction of various breeds, sexes and body weight from 1,5 to 80 kg, aged between 0,5 and 17 years, submitted to the ECG examination. ECG was acquired in dogs in a standing position with BTL SD-8 electrocardiographic device and analyzed once the recording was enlarged. P-wave duration was calculated in 9 ECG leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF, V1, V2, V4) from 5 cardiac cycles.ResultsThe proper P-wave dispersion in healthy dogs was determined at up to 24 ms. P-wave dispersion was statistically significant increased (p < 0.01) in dogs with chronic valvular disease and dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction. In dogs with the atrial enlargement the P-wave dispersion is also higher than in healthy dogs, although no significant correlation between the size of left atria and Pd was noticed (p = 0.1, r = 0,17).ConclusionsThe P-wave dispersion is a constant index in healthy dogs, that is why it can be used for evaluating P wave change in dogs with chronic valvular disease and in dogs with disturbances of supraventricular conduction.

P-Wave Dispersion in Prediction of Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm After an Electrical Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation in Dogs

“…In every evaluated lead the duration of P-wave was measured as a distance between the onset and the offset with precision up to 1 ms. The dispersion of P-waves was calculated as the difference between P max and P min and then the average from five measurements was obtained (9,10 …”

“…Its usefulness as a predicting marker of AF recurrence after cardioversion has not been evaluated. The present study is a continuation of research done on P-wave dispersion in dogs (9,10).…”

“…However, dogs with short events of atrial fibrillation and with normal atrial size also show AF recurrences, therefore specific indicators are sought to predict the risk of AF recurrence after electrical cardioversion. P-wave dispersion (Pd) is a simple electrocardiographic marker, which has been reported to be associated with inhomogeneous and discontinuous propagation of sinus impulses (4,10). Its usefulness as a predicting marker of AF recurrence after cardioversion has not been evaluated.…”

Physiological Values of P-Wave Dispersion in Silesian Breed Horses and Polish Primitive Horses

“…It is stated that the duration time of Pwave and the P wave dispersion (P d ) are electrophysiological reflections of atrial features. The changes in these parameters may indicate inhomogeneous propagation of the sinus node impulse and disturbances of the intra-atrial conduction between the left and right atria (17).…”

“…P-wave dispersion is an index that is evaluated both in human and veterinary medicine (8,14,16,17). The index is described as the difference between the longest and shortest duration time of P-wave measured in all ECG leads.…”