The Electrocardiogram of Unanesthetized Cats Fixed in a Net

Electrocardiograms by standard limb lead, augumented unipolar limb lead and AB (Apex-Base) lead were recorded from 24 unanesthetized adult cats from a SPF closed colony. The unaesthetized cats were held in the sternal position or in the right lateral recumbent position by means of a net. The mean electrical axes of P, QRS and T waves were calculated on the basis of values of I, II and III leads. The ECG patterns and mean electrical axes were compared between the sternal position and the right lateral recumbent position. The results are summarized as follows. The mean values of RR duration, P wave duration, QRS complex duration, T wave duration, PQ interval and QT interval were 0.432, 0.033, 0.027, 0.101, 0.076 and 0.183 seconds, respectively. The values of duration, interval and amplitude were not prominently influenced by the change in posuture. The ECG shape had a definite configuration on each lead except that leads I and aVL showed unstable patterns. Notches and R' waves appeared in every lead in many cases. There was a positive linear correlation between RR and QT duration : r=0.798 in the sternal position and r=0.525 in the right lateral recumbent position. The angle of QRS mean electrical axis on the horizontal plane was 66.90°±26.05 (SD) in the sternal position and 41.84°±75.23 (SD) in the right lateral recumbent position. The P and T mean electrical axes showed small variations.