Objective: This study was conducted to obtain information about
different electrocardiograghic parameters in healthy broiers and
their probable change in ascite syndrome. Design: Observational study. Animal: Arian broiler chicks. Procedure: Arian broiler chicks were divided into control and
treatment groups. The control birds were reared in standard condition
while the treatment chicken were kept in l3l60c temperature. Statistical analysis: One way repeated measure ANOVA, student “t”test. Results: In both groups heart rate decreased (P<0.0l) in relation to age of birds although this pattern was significantly (P<0.01)
greater in treatment than in control group. Four QRS complex
configurations, rs, QS, RS, and rS were observed in ventricular depolarization complex. rS complex was the most (P>50%) prevalent and rs was the least. The R wave was found in all elevated leads with relatively high frequency, but no significant (P>0.05) changes were found related to the age of chicks. S wave was observed with the frequency of 100/0 in all ages. In control group S wave amplitude
was not significantly elevated according to age, but in treatment group its changes in relation to the age was statistically significant (P<0.05). The amplitude of S wave was also significantly greater
in treatment group than the other. The duration of ventricular depolarisation complex was not significantly different according to the age of chicks in both groups. The mean electrical axis of ventricular depolarsation complex in frontal surface, in both groups,
regardless of the variation within groups, were negative and it was not significantly different between both groups. Clinical implications: This study indicated that the ventricular depolarisation wave distributed along the longitudinal axis of body
directed from back to front and close to the midline with tendency
to left side. In conclusion it can be postulated that the dramatic variations could be seen in ECG of ascitic chicken and also electrocardiography is a noninvasive tool in diagnosis of the pulmonary hypertension syndrome. J. Fac. Vet. Med Univ. Tehran.
)