Preliminary Assessment of a Novel 14-Day Electrocardiographic Adhesive Patch Monitor in Dogs.

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias often are transient and might not be detected using conventional electrocardiographic (ECG) techniques. The adhesive patch monitor (APM) is a single-lead, lightweight, up to 14-day continuous ambulatory ECG monitor. This study aimed to prospectively assess its usability in four boxer dogs considered either to be healthy or to have arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Optimal recording was obtained by placing the APM on the left side of the animal's thorax, at the fifth intercostal space, slightly dorsal to the costochondral junction, and oriented either vertically or parallel to the long axis of the heart. In three dogs, the APM remained attached for 14 days. One dog removed the APM after 59 hr. Skin irritation was documented in all dogs and resolved spontaneously after removal of the APM. The analyzable time was >93% of the total wear time and recordings provided an unambiguous rhythm diagnosis at rest. Walking, running, or playing caused intermittent motion artifact that could impair ECG interpretation. APM results were comparable to those obtained with 24-hr Holter monitoring. Extended continuous ECG monitoring with the APM is feasible in boxer dogs and provides interpretable recordings.