The electrocardiogram of the Pekin duck

In this study, standard limb lead electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded in 50 Pekin ducks. The ECG exhibited P, R, S, and T waves. A Q wave was observed in 30% of leads aVR aVL. All waves in lead I were of very low amplitude or almost isoelectric. The P wave was 20% negative, 80% positive in lead aVR and always positive in other leads. The duration and amplitude of P wave were 0.025 sec and 0.17 mV, respectively, and the P-R interval was 0.06 sec in lead II. A Q wave was observed in 30% of leads aVR and aVL but was invisible in other leads. The duration of QRS complex was 0.036 sec and its amplitude was 0.069 mV. The S wave (rS) was greater than the R wave in leads III and aVF. The R and S waves were equal in lead III (66%). The mean duration and amplitude of T wave were 0.05 sec and 0.22 mV, respectively. The T wave was negative in leads aVR and aVL and positive in other leads. The Q-T interval was 0.10 sec. The mean heart rate was 281.3 (220-375) beats/min. The average value of the mean electrical axis was +147 degrees (+95 degrees to -160 degrees).