Signal-Averaged Electrocardiograms in Normal Doberman Pinschers

Signal-averaged electrocardiograms (SAECGs) were performed on nonsedated normal dogs in left-lateral recumbency. Following signal averaging, both time-domain and 3-dimensional frequency-domain analyses were performed. For time-domain analysis, the high-frequency QRS (HFQRS) duration, duration of the terminal QRS complex less than 40 μV (LAS₄₀), and root mean square (RMS) voltages (μV) of the terminal 40 milliseconds (RMS₄₀) and 30 milliseconds of the QRS complex were calculated. For frequency-domain analysis, correlation ratios were calculated for 30-, 40-, 50-, and 60-millisecond segment lengths begun 10, 15, or 20 milliseconds before the end of the QRS complex. Spectro-temporal mapping was also performed. All of the parameters of the SAECGs analyzed in the time domain were associated with each other. LAS₄₀ and RMS voltages regressed significantly ( P < .0000) on the HFQRS duration. Ninety-five percent of the HFQRSs were 55–75 milliseconds, 95% of the LAS₄₀ s were 9–26 milliseconds, and 95% of the RMS₄₀ voltages were 177–444 μV. None of the SAECGs contained evidence of ventricular late potentials. Spectro-temporal maps were similar in each dog when the same segment lengths and starting points were compared. No evidence of ventricular late potentials was observed. Correlation ratios were lower when windowed segments included 15 or 20 milliseconds (versus 10 milliseconds) of the terminal QRS complex. When only 10 milliseconds of the terminal QRS complex were included in windowed segments, the mean correlation ratios for 30-and 40-millisecond segment lengths were > 0.8 and > 0.61 in 67% of all analyses, respectively.