Abstract
6-lead (3 standard, 3 augmented) electrocardiograms were recorded from 150 captured African baboons being used as undosed controls in toxicity studies. The animals, of 14 months to 2 years of age, were unanaesthetised and restrained supine. Analysis of lead II revealed a heart rate of 230±46 beats/min, P-R interval of 0.07±0.02 s, QRS 0.03±0.02 s, Q-T 0.16±0.03 s, and component wave-form amplitudes P (l.6±0.065 mm), Q (0-0.63 mm), R (0-10.44 mm), S (0-5.44 mm), T (0-3.54 mm). The QRS axis was 48±85°.
Deep Q waves were rarely seen preceding an R wave. There: was a conspicuous absence of T wave discordancy in direct contrast to the findings of other workers using anaesthetised animals. No sex differences were seen in any parameter.