Three-Dimensional Electrocardiography in the Rat
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1992
Description
Three-dimensional electrocardiography with computerized analysis provides a means to rapidly collect and quantitatively analyze electrocardiographic data from rats. Electrical activity at each point in time can be expressed quantitatively as a vector with magnitude and direction. Rats are fitted with plate and needle electrodes in three mutually perpendicular axes: X (right to left), Y (rostral to caudal), and Z (ventral to dorsal). Electrocardiographic signals are recorded on paper and also collected at 1000/sec using an IBM-compatible computer equipped with a fast A/D convertor. Signals are analyzed using an interactive program written in Turbo PASCAL which transforms data into an array consisting of vector magnitude and direction at each time point. The data are further used to produce both a tabular report and graphic output. This method retains simplicity while extending the accuracy of electrocardiographic (ECG) measurement. It literally adds another dimension of information to the three-lead ECG most commonly measured in rats.
Citation Information
Rice, Peter J.. 1992. Three-Dimensional Electrocardiography in the Rat. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods. Vol.27(4). 217-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/1056-8719(92)90044-2 PMID: 1421531 ISSN: 1056-8719