Parâmetros ecocardiográficos e eletrocardiográficos em coelhos (Oryctolagus cuniculus) da raça Lion Head hígidos

Abstract

Given the limited available knowledge in physiology about lagomorphs and the importance of this information for future studies in these animals, the aim was to examine the electrical activity of the heart and cardiac morphology in healthy Lion Head rabbits kept in captivity. The rabbits were subjected to physical restraint for the conduction of the examinations. Twenty-five adult rabbits were evaluated, comprising seventeen females and seven males. After each animal underwent a clinical assessment with no observed clinical alterations, they underwent electrocardiographic (ECG) and echocardiographic evaluations using ECGPC Veterinary Version 2.27 - Brazilian Electronic Technology (TEB) and MyLab™Alpha ultrasound, respectively. The execution of the electrocardiographic examinations proceeded without any complications, revealing QRS complexes with positive polarity, followed by T waves of varying polarity, and preceded by P waves of the same polarity. The average heart rate measured 196 ± 34 beats per minute, with all animals displaying a sinus rhythm in the ECG tracings. Echocardiography allowed the determination of morphological characteristics using the M-mode. The fractional shortening (FS) measured 39.24 ± 5.5, while the ejection fraction (EF) was recorded at 73 ± 6.6. The transmitral E and A waves were measured with maximum velocities of 52.34 ± 8.38 and 43.69 ± 9.18, respectively. This study provides normative values for electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables that can be useful in epidemiological, pathophysiological, or breed-related situations.