Comparison of Average Heart Rates Determined by Surface ECG and 24-Hour Ambulatory ECG (Holter) in Dogs with Spontaneous Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the heart rates of dogs presenting with spontaneous atrial fibrillation (AF) by a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and a 24 hour ambulatory ECG (Holter recording) in order to determine if there was a difference between these two diagnostic tests. Seven dogs with clinically stable, spontaneous AF were evaluated with a 6 lead surface ECG (MAC 5000, GE® Milwaukee) and a Holter monitor (Monitor device: LifecardCE Delmar Reynolds Medical, Holter analysis:Aria Holter software). Statistical analyses, including t-tests and linear regression models, were performed using Stata® data-analysis and statistical software. When heart rates (bpm) determined by both diagnostic testing methods were compared individually and among all of the dogs, no statistically significant differences were found. Complete data for analysis were available in 4 of the 7 dogs. This study demonstrates that despite the potential superiority of Holter monitoring relative to the surface ECG for the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias, average heart rates were not statistically different in these 4 dogs with controlled AF. Therefore, the average HR determined by surface ECG in the hospital may be as reliable as the average HR determined by Holter monitoring in dogs with well controlled spontaneous AF.