Vol. 11, Special Issue 8 (2022)

Author(s):
Swagat Mohapatra, Smruti Smita Mohapatra, Subhralaxmi Dwivedy, Shivani Das, Ritun Patra, Ambika Prasad Khadanga Mahapatra and Lipika Priyadarsini

Abstract:
ECG is a simple and fast diagnostic tool that records heart’s electrical activity and helps to detect cardiac abnormalities, electrolyte imbalances etc. Pregnancy is a physiological phenomenon that affects all the systems of the maternal body. ECG can help to detect various physiological adaptations in the maternal cardiovascular system during pregnancy. Sometimes these changes mislead the diagnosis of cardiac diseases. This study highlights the changes in the electrocardiogram of Black Bengal goats during normal pregnancy and thus helps to differentiate physiological changes from the pathological conditions. In this study, pregnant Black Bengal goats (n=6) aged between 1 to 3 years with gestational age ranging from 75-100 days and non-pregnant Black Bengal goats (n=6) aged between 1 to 3 years were considered. A 12-lead standard ECG recorder (Cardiart 108 T-MK VII-BPL) was used for recording electrocardiogram. The ECG machine was set with a paper speed of 25 mm/sec and sensitivity of 1 (1 cm = 1 mv). No significant changes were observed in P wave amplitude of pregnant and non-pregnant goats. However, in lead I, duration of P wave was significantly higher in pregnant goats. In lead III, P wave was found inverted in 1 out of 6 cases. Amplitude of R wave was significantly higher in non-pregnant goats in lead I. In pregnant goats, R wave was found inverted in 5 out of 6 cases in lead I. In lead II, R wave was found inverted in 5 out of 6 cases and in lead III, R wave was found inverted in 2 out of 6 cases. The RR interval was significantly higher in pregnant goats in lead I. The heart rate was significantly lower in pregnant goats in comparison to non-pregnant goats in lead I. This study enhances the understanding of normal physiological changes in the ECG during pregnancy which helps in better management of cardiovascular disorders.