How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2016 PROPOSED SIMPLE METHOD FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAM RECORDING IN FREE-RANGING ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS)
Norin Chai, Jean Louis Pouchelon, Jonathan Bouvard, Leonor Camacho Sillero, Minh Huynh, Vincent Segalini, Lisa Point, Veronica Croce, Goulven Rigaux, Jack Highwood, Valérie Chetboul
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Electrocardiography represents a relevant diagnostic tool for detecting cardiac disease in animals. Elephants can present various congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases. However, few electrophysiologic studies have been reported in captive elephants, mainly due to challenging technical difficulties in obtaining good-quality electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings, and no data are currently available for free-ranging Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). The purpose of this pilot prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a simple method for recording ECG tracings in wild, apparently healthy, unsedated Asian elephants (n = 7) in the standing position. Successful six-lead recordings (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF) were obtained, with the aVL lead providing the best-quality tracings in most animals. Variables measured in the aVL lead included heart rate, amplitudes and duration of the P waves, QRS complexes, T and U waves, and duration of the PR, QT, and QU intervals. A negative deflection following positive P waves, representative of an atrial repolarization wave (Ta wave), was observed for five out of the seven elephants.

Copyright 2016 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Norin Chai, Jean Louis Pouchelon, Jonathan Bouvard, Leonor Camacho Sillero, Minh Huynh, Vincent Segalini, Lisa Point, Veronica Croce, Goulven Rigaux, Jack Highwood, and Valérie Chetboul "PROPOSED SIMPLE METHOD FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAM RECORDING IN FREE-RANGING ASIAN ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 47(1), 6-11, (1 March 2016). https://doi.org/10.1638/2015-0162.1
Received: 14 July 2015; Published: 1 March 2016
KEYWORDS
Asian elephant
electrocardiography
Elephas maximus
free-ranging
Ta wave
U wave
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top