Key result
Smartphone-based ECG in healthy cows provided interpretable tracings in 89% of cases, though artifacts were more frequent than with standard ECG (22% vs 0%; P=0.005).
Why the study?
Smartphone-based ECG has demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy in humans and several animal species, but its feasibility and reliability in cows had not been assessed.
Does a smartphone-based ECG device reliably measure heart rate and ECG values compared to standard base-apex ECG in healthy dairy cows?
Observational (n=55)
Single-blind
Does a smartphone-based ECG device reliably measure heart rate and ECG values compared to standard base-apex ECG in healthy dairy cows?
Absolute Event Rate: 22% vs 0%
p-value: p=.005
Smartphone-based single-lead ECG is a feasible and reliable tool for evaluating heart rate and selective ECG variables in healthy cows, though it is associated with more artifacts than standard ECG.
May support smartphone ECG in bovine practice; leaves open validation in diseased cows.
BACKGROUND: There is good diagnostic accuracy of smartphone-based ECG in the evaluation of heart rate (HR), heart rhythm, and ECG values for humans, horses, dogs, and cats. OBJECTIVES: Assess feasibility and reliability of a smartphone ECG device to evaluate HR expressed as beats per minute and ECG values in cows. ANIMALS: Fifty-five healthy Holstein Friesian cows. METHODS: Prospective observational study. A standard base-apex ECG was acquired for 60 seconds in each cow. A smartphone ECG tracing was recorded simultaneously using a single-lead bipolar ECG recorder. All ECGs were reviewed by 1 blinded investigator. The following ECG variables were assessed: HR, P wave duration, PR interval, QRS complex and QT interval (milliseconds), P wave, and QRS complex polarity. Agreement between standard and smartphone ECG was evaluated by Cohen's k test and the Bland-Altman test. RESULTS: Smartphone ECG tracings were interpretable in 89% of the recordings. Minimal differences of no clinical relevance were found between standard and smartphone ECG tracings regarding HR and duration of ECG waves and interval. Good agreement found in the evaluation of QRS complex polarity (85%) but not for P wave polarity (k = 0.006). Artifacts were rare but of significantly higher frequency in smartphone ECG compared to standard ECG tracings (22% versus 0%; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Good quality single-lead ECG tracings can be recorded by smartphone device in healthy cows. Smartphone tracings are reliable for evaluation of HR and selective ECG variables. Smartphone ECG can represent an additional tool for ECG screening in cows.
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Bonelli et al. (2018) conducted an observational in Healthy (n=55). Smartphone-based ECG vs. Standard base-apex ECG was evaluated on Frequency of artifacts (p=.005). Smartphone-based ECG in healthy cows provided interpretable tracings in 89% of cases, though artifacts were more frequent than with standard ECG (22% vs 0%; P=0.005).
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