Electrocardiographic Observations in Experimental Hypothermia in Dogs

Abstract

Ecg observations were made on 28 dogs during experimental hypothermia. The changes in the PR interval, QRS duration, QTc and T waves agree with previous reports. Auricular fibrillation was observed in 3 experiments. The unexpected regularity of the appearance of the Ta after the QRS complex, and the often extensive Ta segment elevation as the temperature dropped have not been reported previously. The fatal outcome in 15 out of 28 animals could not have been predicted.