Mike Martin 
Small Animal ECGs 
An Introductory Guide

Small Animal ECGs: An Introductory Guide provides all the information veterinarians need when using electrocardiography techniques for the first time.

* An ideal introduction to veterinary electrocardiography written in a very easy to understand way, for what can be a daunting subject

* The author is RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology and regularly speaks on this subject

* Full of examples of colour ECG tracings, as well as colour illustrations to explain arrhythmias

* Covers techniques that can readily be used in first opinion small animal practice

* Includes new chapters on mechanisms of supraventricular arrhythmias, accelerated idioventricular rhythm and use of Holters

Table of Content

Preface to third edition vii

About the author ix

Acknowledgements xi

Abbreviations xiii

Part 1: Understanding the electricity of the heart and how it produces an ECG complex 1

1 What is an ECG? 3

2 The electricity of the heart 4

3 Rhythms of sinus origin 10

Part 2: Abnormal electricity of the heart 15

4 Recognising and understanding ectopia 17

5 Ventricular arrhythmias 27

6 Supraventricular arrhythmias 44

7 Abnormalities in the conduction system 54

8 Changes in the P-QRS-Tmorphology 63

Part 3: More advanced electrocardiography 71

9 Understanding the ECG limb lead systems 73

10 Mean electrical axis (MEA) explained 75

11 Intraventricular conduction defects 79

12 Supraventricular arrhythmias: in-depth 86

Part 4: Management, clinical significance and treatment of arrhythmias 95

13 Management of arrhythmias 97

14 Clinical significance and treatment of tachyarrhythmias 102

15 Clinical significance and treatment of bradyarrhythmias 112

Part 5: Recording and interpreting ECGs 119

16 Approach to interpretation of the ECG recording 121

17 Artefacts 124

18 Recording an ECG 130

19 Choosing an ECG recorder 137

20 Ambulatory ECG monitoring 143

Further reading 152

Index 153

About the author

Mike Martin holds a Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology and has
been an RCVS Recognised Specialist since 1995. He has been an
examiner at Certificate and Diploma level for the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons. He has been both Honorary Secretary and
Chairman of the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society. He has
published over 40 scientific peer reviewed papers. He is a
recipient of BSAVA awards: in 1993 the Dunkin Award, in 2000 the
Melton Award, in 2006 the Petsavers Award and in 2010 the Dunkin
& Blaine Awards. He is a frequent CPD lecturer within Europe
and has presented his clinical research at Specialist Cardiology
meetings in both Europe and the USA.