10) electrocardiography, cardiac arrythmias in cats and dogs Flashcards
what is a cardiac arrythmia?
❖ Any cardiac rhythm falling outside of the sinus rhythm (abnormalities in rate, regurgitation, site of cardiac impulse) → auscultable during clinical examination
When any arrhythmia is heard an ECG should be performed for better evaluation
electrocardiograph
- measurement in amplitude and time of potential differences of electrical current
- electrical current generated through depolarization and repolarization of cardiac structures
- types of recording:
➢ intracardial
➢ epicardial
➢ on the surface of the body → bipolar leads placed
according to the Einthoven triangle → Einthoven triangle placements no longer used for ECG
P-wave?
depolarization of the atria
P-R wave?
impulse through AV node and bundle of His
QRS complex?
ventricular depolarization
R wave
depolarization of left ventricle
Q wave
depolarization of septum
S wave?
depolarisation of right ventricle
S-T segment?
interval of ventricular systole
T wave ?
repolarization of ventricles
Q-T interval=
ventricle depolarization and repolarization
indications for ECG
arrythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia
monitoring during anaesthesia
limitations of ECG
just temporal, but can use holter monitoring
distorting effects of extracardiac factors
needs specialized knowledge
technique of ECG
- Right lateral recumbency, sternal recumbency, standing
- Attaching the leads (wetted alligator clips)
➢ Red → right forelimb
➢ Yellow → left forelimb
➢ Green → left hindlimb
➢ Black → right hindlimb - Consider disturbances due to: movement, respiratory, and electrical artifacts
- Paper speed 25 or 50 mm/sec
- Sensitivity 10, 20, 5 or 2.5 mm/mV
Red
right forelimb
yellow
left forelimb
green
left hindlimb