Electrocardiographic interval changes during hyperinfusion in horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This study describes investigations into the electrocardiogram changes in 2 7 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), during hyperinf usion therapy with isotonic saline solution. Immediately after hyperinfusio n therapy the equine ECG showed a temporary sinus tachycardia without atria l and ventricular rhythm disturbances. After infusion a highly significant shortening of the PQ-, QT and TP-intervals was observed. There was a positi ve correlation between the RR-interval and the duration of the PQ- and QT-i ntervals, but not with the duration of the P-, QRS- and T-waves.