Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026
Electrocardiogram Recordings in Anesthetized Mice using Lead II
Published on: June 20, 2020
Inhalation anesthesia for recording cardiac function in dogs using electrocardiography
Ayad Nouri Diaa Alhakim1, Dhurgham H Al Haideri1, Abd-Alhadi Jaithom Marzok1
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.
Background:
Inhalation anesthesia plays a critical role in veterinary cardiology by providing stable conditions for accurate Electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings in dogs. Volatile anesthetics such as sevoflurane and isoflurane are widely used due to their controllability and cardiovascular effects.
Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of these agents on ECG parameters and cardiac rhythm stability in dogs.
Methods:
Twenty healthy adult dogs were anesthetized using either isoflurane or sevoflurane under controlled conditions. ECG parameters, including heart rate (HR), PR interval (PR) interval, QRS complex (QRS) duration, and QT interval interval, were continuously monitored. Data were statistically analyzed to assess differences between the two anesthetic protocols.
Results:
Sevoflurane demonstrated significantly improved ECG stability, reduced waveform variability, and fewer arrhythmogenic changes compared to isoflurane (p < 0.05). HR was higher, and PR intervals were shorter under sevoflurane, while QRS duration showed no significant difference between groups. ECG clarity was also superior with sevoflurane.
Conclusion:
Sevoflurane provides more stable and reliable conditions for ECG recording in dogs compared to isoflurane. Its rapid induction and recovery, along with minimal cardiovascular disturbance, make it the preferred anesthetic agent for clinical and research applications.
