The canine T wave: a retrospective analysis on qualitative and quantitative T wave variables obtained in 129 healthy dogs and proposed reference intervals

Introduction/objective: The T wave is a poorly characterized electrocardiographic variable in small animals. Therefore, this study aimed to describe T wave features in a large population of healthy dogs. Animals, materials, and methods: Medical records were reviewed to identify healthy dogs ≥one-year-olds that underwent an electrocardiogram. T wave qualitative (morphology, polarity, and concordance between R and T waves) and quantitative (duration, amplitude, mean electrical axis, ratio between T and R waves amplitudes, interval from the peak to the end of the T wave, and ratio between the duration of the latter interval and that of the QT) variables were evaluated. Continuous and categorical variables were compared between dogs of distinct sex, body weight (BW), age and somatotype using the Mann–Whitney U test and χ2 test, respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficients between quantitative variables and age and BW were calculated. Reference intervals of quantitative variables were determined in the overall population. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine dogs were enrolled. Concerning morphology, the asymmetrical (slow/fast) pattern occurred more frequently than the symmetrical and biphasic ones. Concerning polarity, positive T waves occurred more frequently than negative and neutral ones. T and R waves were predominantly concordant. No meaningful differences were found when comparing qualitative and quantitative variables between dogs of distinct sex, BW, age and somatotype. No significant correlations were found between quantitative variables and age and BW. Reference intervals of quantitative variables are provided. Conclusions: Canine T wave features were addressed and statistically reliable reference intervals made available for clinical use.