Key result
Among 41 healthy Doberman Pinschers, 39% presented a left shift of the ventricular mean electrical axis compared to the standard canine reference range.
Why the study?
Canine ventricular mean electrical axis is influenced by thorax shape and position, leading researchers to hypothesize that some healthy Doberman Pinschers present a left shift.
Observational (n=41)
Yes
A significant proportion of healthy Doberman Pinschers present a left shift of the MEA and a deep Q wave in lead II, which should be considered normal breed-specific variations rather than necessarily indicating pathology.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May warrant breed-adjusted ECG references in Dobermans; leaves open need for prospective validation of normal ranges.
In canine electrocardiography, the reference interval of the ventricular mean electrical axis (MEA) is between +40° and +100°. MEA values in dogs can be influenced by the patient position as well as by the shape of the thorax. The aim of this study was to evaluate the MEA in healthy Doberman Pinschers, hypothesizing that some present a left shift of the MEA. In this retrospective study, 41 healthy, client-owned Doberman Pinschers were included. Echocardiography and standard six-lead ECG examination were performed in all dogs. The MEA was calculated using the isoelectric method. The morphology of the QRS complex and the Q/R ratio in lead II were also evaluated. The median MEA was +45° and ranged from -45° to +90°. MEA was deviated in 16/41 dogs (39%), all presenting a left axis deviation (range, -45° to + 30°). Age was significantly associated with the MEA (P=0.008), showing a negative linear correlation. A deep Q wave in lead II was present in 26/41 (63%) dogs. The Q/R ratio was higher in dogs presenting left shift of the MEA (0.66; range, 0.28-1.35) in comparison to dogs with a MEA within reference range (0.44; range, 0.04-0.73; P<0.001). In conclusion, a significant number of healthy Doberman Pinschers present a left shift of the MEA compare to the reference range, and dogs with MEA deviation show a higher Q/R ratio in lead II. This data should be considered when electrocardiographic evaluation is performed in Doberman Pinschers.
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Carnabuci et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Healthy Doberman Pinschers (n=41). Doberman Pinscher breed vs. Standard canine reference range was evaluated on Left shift of the ventricular mean electrical axis (MEA). Among 41 healthy Doberman Pinschers, 39% presented a left shift of the ventricular mean electrical axis compared to the standard canine reference range.
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