Electrocardiogram assessment using the Einthoven and base-apex lead systems in healthy Holstein cows and neonates

Abstract

RESUMO.-[Avaliação do eletrocardiograma utilizando os sistemas Einthoven e base-ápice em vacas e neonatos saudáveis da raça Holandesa.] Tem como objetivo descrever o comportamento eletrocardiográfico de parâ-metros em vacas da raça Holandesa grávidas e recém-nascidos durante o período perinatal. Os eletrocardiogramas foram realizados utilizando um eletrocardiógrafo computadorizado. Os animais selecionados para o estudo foram 23 vacas e 18 neonatos. Exames eletrocardiográficos maternos foram realizadas em 35, 28, 21, 14, 7 dias e um dia de pré-parto e nos neonatos foram avaliados em seis momentos; no momento do nascimento, 7, 14, 21, 28 e 35 dias após o parto. As avaliações foram realizadas em vacas pré e pós-parto e no grupo de neonatos entre fêmeas e machos. Para cada duração da gravação eletrocardiográfica anali- The objective aimed to describe the electrocardiographic behavior of parameters in Holstein pregnant cows and neonates during the perinatal period. The electrocardiograms were performed using a computerized electrocardiogram. The animals selected for the study were 23 cows and 18 neonates. Maternal electrocardiographic examinations were conducted in the 35, 28, 21, 14, 7 days and one-day pre -partum and the neonates were evaluated in six moments; at the time of birth, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after delivery. The evaluations were done in pre and post-delivery cows and into the group of neonates between female and male. For each electrocardiographic recording P-wave duration and amplitude, PR interval and the QRS complex duration, R, S-wave amplitude and polarity, QT and RR interval duration were examined. Changes in heart rate, ST segment and T wave polarity were recorded in leads of Einthoven and base-apex planes. The mean electrical axis of the QRS complex was calculated. In cows the results when comparing the two leads system, there are significant changes in the amplitude of the waves P, R, S, and T and the duration of the intervals PR, ST and QRS complex. The difference between primiparous and multiparous dairy cows was in the amplitude of the Twave. It was concluded that the base-apex system is a suitable lead for monitoring heart rhythm in Holstein cows and Einthoven in neonates. During the first month of life, no differences in P, Q, S and T waves, in PR, QRS, and ST intervals and in axis orientation was observed in neonates. There was a significant difference in duration of the QT interval. Among sexes, the difference was in the Q amplitude. This study incorporated the calves and Holstein cows in a single study in search of baseline information regarding the duration and morphology of the ECG parameters. In conclusion, it was proved that, with increasing age, there are changes in ECG components associated with variations in the distance between the recording electrode and the heart. The study contributes by providing Holstein reference values for clinical evaluations.

Base-apex electrocardiographic examination in healthy cows of Chianina breed

“…Concerning the morphology of ECG waves and complexes, P wave was positive in all cows (in some animals were also “bifid”), in accordance with previous studies (DeRoth, 1980; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ; Cedeno et al , 2016 ; Bonelli et al , 2019 ). P wave duration was similar between Chianina and Holstein cows ( DeRoth, 1980 ; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ; Cedeno et al , 2016 ; Bonelli et al , 2019 ), whereas a slight difference was recorded in P wave amplitude that was higher in Chianina cows ( DeRoth, 1980 ; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ; Cedeno et al , 2016 ). P waves represent the atrial depolarization, and tall or wide P waves could indicate atrial enlargement.…”

“…Our results are in accordance with previous studies, even if we have not found “QS” configuration of QRS complex that has been previously recorded in Holstein cows ( DeRoth, 1980 ; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ). Duration and amplitude of the QRS complex showed similar values reported in previous studies on Holstein cows ( DeRoth, 1980 ; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ; Cedeno et al , 2016 ; Bonelli et al , 2019 ). The T wave was positive in most of Chianina Cows and “biphasic” in seven animals.…”

“…HR in Chianina cows showed values between 48 and 94 bpm with a median of 68 bpm. In previous studies, HR assessed by electrocardiography in cows showed values slightly higher: HR of 79 ± 12.9 bpm ( Cedeno et al , 2016 ), 75.73 ± 9.13 bpm ( Rezakhani et al , 2004 ) and 75 ± 7 bpm ( DeRoth, 1980 ) has been reported in Holstein cows; similarly, Bonelli et al (2019) recorded HR with a median of 80 bpm. We speculate that HR values recorded in Chianina cows could be due to inverse correlation between HR and BW in mammalian species ( Noujaim et al , 2004 ): being Chianina cows larger than Holstein cows included in the previous studies ( DeRoth, 1980 ; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ; Cedeno et al , 2016 ; Bonelli et al , 2019 ), their HR values are lower.…”

“…Therefore, base-apex ECG exam can be readily available in farms and useful to confirm or rule out the presence of cardiac arrhythmias in cattle ( Buczinski and Boerboom, 2010 ). Previous studies reported reference values for ECG parameters for different breeds of cows such as Holstein ( DeRoth, 1980 ; Rezakhani et al , 2004 ; Cedeno et al , 2016 ; Bonelli et al , 2019 ), Mithun ( Sanyal et al , 2010 ), and crossbreed ( Reddy and Sivajothi, 2016 ; Mohapatra et al , 2017 ; Areshkumar et al , 2018 ). To the authors’ knowledge, the feasibility and the reference values for ECG examination have not been previously reported in Chianina breed.…”

Comparison of smartphone‐based and standard base‐apex electrocardiography in healthy dairy cows

“…There are various publications on ECG in different breeds of dairy cattle in the veterinary literature . In the cattle, standard ECG represents an inexpensive, noninvasive technique for the characterization of cardiac arrhythmias, and it gives useful prognostic information .…”