The electrocardiogram of Macaca fascicularis

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Primate Physiology
• Comparative Electrocardiography

Background:

• Electrocardiography is crucial for assessing cardiac health in nonhuman primates.
• Establishing normal electrocardiographic parameters is essential for accurate diagnosis in Macaca fascicularis models.
• Previous studies may not reflect current physiological norms or variations in cynomolgus monkeys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normal electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters in a cohort of male cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).
• To provide a reference dataset for interpreting ECG findings in this primate species.
• To compare measured ECG voltages with previously published data.

Main Methods:

• Acquisition of standard and augmented limb lead electrocardiograms (ECG) from 16 male cynomolgus monkeys.
• Standardization of ECG recordings with animals in a consistent sitting position.
• Determination of key electrocardiographic parameters: intervals (PR, QT), wave axes (P, QRS, T), and wave widths (P, QRS).

Main Results:

• Normal ranges for PR and QT intervals, P, QRS, and T wave axes, and P and QRS wave widths were determined.
• A significant finding was that measured voltages in all standard and augmented limb leads were lower than those reported in prior studies of similarly sized monkeys.
• This suggests potential differences in cardiac electrical activity or measurement techniques.

Conclusions:

• The study provides updated reference values for normal electrocardiographic parameters in male cynomolgus monkeys.
• The observed lower limb lead voltages highlight the importance of using contemporary, species-specific data for accurate cardiac assessment.
• These findings have implications for the use of cynomolgus monkeys in preclinical cardiovascular research.