2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Development of the new method for 12-lead ECG recordings was performed by placing the limb electrodes at right and left scapula and in the midline caudal to the xiphoid process. This will place WCT in the middle of the heart and Einthoven's triangle will be nearly perpendicular to the main cardiac depolarization vector. By placing the precordial leads between the superficial pectoral muscles (V1), on the ventral part of both the left and right triceps muscle (V2 and V6), in the 6st intercostal space, in level of the shoulder joint of the left side (V3) and in level of the elbow joint on both sides (V4 and V5), information from all heart chambers would be recorded. 35 Standardbred horses (14 mares, 15 geldings and 6 stallions. Mean age: 5.8 years range 2-14) had ECGs recorded using both the existing method and the new modified method. All horses had an echocardiographic examination performed to measure atrial (left atrium area (LAA) and left atrium diameter (LAD)) and ventricular size (including calculation of LV mass). All waves from each lead were measured and all data were blinded before analyses.