ECG interpretation in small animals 2. Abnormalities in the conduction system

ABNORMALITIES in the conduction system of the heart are associated with faults in either the generation of the impulse from the sinoatrial node or abnormalities in conduction through specialised tissues such as the atrioventricular node, the bundle of His or the Purkinje system. This article describes the clinical findings on auscultation and palpation of the pulse relating to these abnormalities and how these translate to the complexes seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG). An article in the last issue discussed the electrical activity of the heart. A third article, to be published in the next issue, will outline a practical approach to interpreting ECGs.