Comparison of in-hospital versus 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography for detection of ventricular premature complexes in mature Boxers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of in-hospital electrocardiography (ECG) for detection of ventricular premature complexes (VPC), compared with 24-hour ambulatory ECG.


METHODS
Original study.


METHODS
188 Boxers > 9 months old; 31 had a history of syncope, and 157 were healthy (no history of syncope).


METHODS
In-hospital ECG was performed on all Boxers for at least 2 minutes. Within 7 days after the in-hospital ECG was completed, 24-hour ambulatory ECG was performed.


RESULTS
The specificity of in-hospital ECG was 100% for the detection of at least 50 VPC in a 24-hour period in dogs with syncope and 93% in healthy dogs. In-hospital ECG had poor sensitivity, although sensitivity increased as the number of VPC per 24 hours increased.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of in-hospital ECG is highly specific for detection of at least 50 VPC during a 24-hour period. However, in-hospital ECG is insensitive, and a lack of VPC does not suggest that the dog does not have a substantial number of VPC during that same period. The use of in-hospital ECG appears to be inadequate for screening purposes and therapeutic evaluations in mature Boxers with ventricular arrhythmic disease.
Meurs
K M
KM
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Spier
A W
AW
Wright
N A
NA
Hamlin
R L
RL
D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*