Laparoscopic repair of an anterior perineal hernia: a video presentation.

Background: The perineal hernia is a condition that occurs as a result of a defect in the pelvic diaphragm. It is classified as anterior or posterior, and as either a primary or secondary hernia. The best management of this condition remains controversial. Objectives: To demonstrate the surgical steps of a laparoscopic repair with mesh of a perineal hernia. Materials and Methods: A video presentation showing the laparoscopic repair of a recurrent perineal hernia. Main outcome measures: A 46-year-old woman with a prior history of a primary perineal hernia repair had complaints of a symptomatic vulvar bulge. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed a 5 cm hernia sac at the right anterior pelvic wall containing adipose tissue. A laparoscopic perineal hernia repair was performed by dissection of the space of Retzius, reduction of the hernial sac, closure of the defect and mesh fixation. Results: The laparoscopic repair with mesh of a recurrent perineal hernia is demonstrated. Conclusion: We showed that the laparoscopic approach can be an effective and reproducible treatment for perineal hernia. Learning objective: Understanding of the surgical steps involved in the laparoscopic repair with mesh of a recurrent perineal hernia.

Students integrate knowledge acquisition and practical work in the laboratory.

The aim of the present work was to transfer a wider concept of teamwork and self-learning to the laboratory, encouraging students' capabilities when seeking, acquiring, and processing knowledge. This educational innovation was carried out with a total of 38 students (fourth year of degree in Biology) in the area of physiology (Advances in Reproduction course) at University of Córdoba in Córdoba, Spain. The design of the project's application methodology consisted of establishing a way in which problems would be tackled in the practical classes. For this purpose, the different tasks were set up so that students could relate them to the concepts learned in the theory classes. On the first day of class, the project was presented to the students. Groups of two to three students worked in the laboratory and set up an outline of the protocol of the practical work that they had done. This outline was performed individually and sent to the lecturers through a learning management system (Moodle). The teachers gave feedback and assessed student submissions. Upon finishing the course, students completed a survey. The project-based learning method promotes practical self-learning on the part of students. This methodology demonstrated to us that it stimulates a critical and self-critical capacity in students, both individually and in groups, and that writing didactic practical material helped students to enhance their theory knowledge. The experiment was a success in view of the scores obtained upon finishing the subject.

Resultados de un programa de seguimiento de las prótesis mamarias pip (poly-implant-prothese) / Results of a program to monitor the pip breast prostheses (poly-implant-prothese)

Objective: The rupture of mammary protheses PIP (poly-implant-prothese) caused an alarm, settling in Spain a protocol for the management of patients. As hospital unit of reference for the management, monitoring and treatment of patients carrying PIP breast implants, we propose objective to make a descriptive study of the current situation in our country and compare it to the hitherto described in the literature. Method: We conducted a transversal study of all patients who came during the years 2012 and 2013, to the Unit of Mammary Pathology of the Universitary General Hospital of Elche. Results: With a total of 285 women, we observed a high rate of implant rupture (50.2 percent) asymptomatic most (84.6 percent). Fact that the year 2006 had the highest percentage of breakage and the appearance of siliconomas. Conclusions: Our series confirms rupture rate similar to that described in the literature for PIP breast implants. We observed a higher percentage of breakage from the year 2006, coinciding with the period of manufacture described poorer quality of these implants. Axillary siliconomas were evident in 35.1 percent of patients, the only locally axillary symptoms.

Objetivo: La rotura de las prótesis mamarias PIP (poly-implant-prothese) ha supuesto una alarma, estableciéndose en España un protocolo para el manejo y seguimiento de las pacientes. Como unidad hospitalaria de referencia para el manejo, seguimiento y tratamiento de las pacientes portadoras de prótesis mamarias PIP, nos proponemos como objetivo realizar un estudio descriptivo de la situación actual en nuestro medio y compararlo con lo hasta ahora descrito en la literatura. Método: Realizamos un estudio transversal de todas las pacientes que acudieron durante los años 2012 y 2013, a la Consulta de la Unidad de Patología Mamaria del Hospital General Universitario de Elche. Resultados: Con un total de 285 mujeres, observamos la elevada tasa de ruptura de los implantes (50,2 por ciento) la mayoría asintomáticos (84,6 por ciento). Siendo el año 2006 el de mayor porcentaje de rotura y la aparición de siliconomas. Conclusiones: Se confirma una tasa de ruptura similar a la descrita en la literatura para los implantes mamarios PIP. Observamos un mayor porcentaje de rotura a partir del año 2006, coincidiendo con el período de fabricación descrito de peor calidad de estos implantes. Se evidenciaron siliconomas axilares en el 35,1 por ciento de las pacientes, siendo la única sintomatología a nivel local axilar.

Factores asociados a mayor débito de drenaje tras linfadenectomía axilar por cáncer de mama / Factors associated with greater debit drainage after axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer

Introduction: axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is still a usual procedure in the treatment of breast cancer. A drain is normally placed in the surgical bed and maintained several days until obtaining a daily discharge of 30-50 ml, in order to reduce the appearance of seroma. The aim of this study was to analyze possible factors associated with an increased drainage volume. Patients and Methods: a retrospective study of all the patients undergoing ALND for breasts cancer at our institution between 2011 and 2012 was performed. Results: 40 females were included. There were no complications or mortality. Median hospital stay was 2 days. Median day of drainage removal was the 5th postoperative day. Mean total drainage volume was 298.9 +/- 240.1 ml. High blood pressure associated with an increased drainage volume (550 ml vs 217.5 ml; p = 0.001) and a later removal (8th vs 4th day; p = 0.002). Similar happened with age > 65 years (420.8 ml vs 24.6 ml; p = 0.003) and (7th vs 5th day; p = 0.009). The number of metastatic lymph nodes showed a direct correlation with total drainage volume (Pearson 0.503; p = 0.017) and removal day (Spearman 0.563; p = 0.006), similar to the primary tumour size: total drainage volume (Pearson 0.447; p = 0.042) and removal day (Spearman 0.556; p = 0.009). Conclusion: age over 65 years, high blood pressure, number of metastatic lymph nodes and primary tumour size associated with a higher drainage volume and time to remove the drain.

Introducción: la linfadenectomía axilar (LA) sigue siendo un procedimiento frecuente en el tratamiento del cáncer de mama. Habitualmente se coloca un drenaje en el hueco axilar, que se mantiene varios días, hasta que tiene un débito diario de 30-50 ml, con el fin de reducir la aparición de seroma. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar posibles factores asociados a un mayor volumen de drenaje. Pacientes y Métodos: realizamos un estudio retrospectivo de todas las pacientes intervenidas de LA por cáncer de mama en nuestro centro durante los años 2011 y 2012. Resultados: incluimos 40 mujeres en el estudio. No hubo complicaciones ni mortalidad. La mediana de estancia hospitalaria fue de 2 días. El día mediano de retirada de drenaje fue el 5° postoperatorio. El volumen medio total del drenaje fue 298,9 +/- 240,1 ml. La hipertensión arterial se asocia a un mayor volumen de drenaje (550 ml vs 217,5 ml; p = 0,001) y a una retirada más tardía del mismo (8° día vs 4° día; p = 0,002). Al igual ocurre con la edad > 65 años (420,8 ml vs 24,6 ml; p = 0,003) y (7° vs 5° día; p = 0,009). El número de ganglios metastásicos también se correlaciona con el volumen total de drenaje (coeficiente de correlación de Pearson 0,503; p = 0,017) y con el día de retirada (Spearman 0,563; p = 0,006), lo mismo que el tamaño del tumor primario: volumen total de drenaje (Pearson 0,447; p = 0,042) y día de retirada (Spearman 0,556; p = 0,009). Conclusión: la edad mayor de 65 años, la hipertensión arterial, el número de ganglios metastásicos y el tamaño del tumor primario se asocian con mayor volumen por el drenaje axilar y días necesarios hasta la retirada.

Genetic analysis of haematological and plasma biochemical parameters in the Spanish purebred horse exercised on a treadmill.

The novel aim of this study was to describe the reference values of different haematological and biochemical parameters in the Spanish purebred horse (Andalusian, SPB) in each of the stages of a programmed exercise on a treadmill system, and to establish heritability and genetic correlations for these haematological and biochemical parameters. For this, 94 young SPB male horses (4.22 ± 2.27 years old) were used. An increasing intensity exercise test at 4, 5, 6 and 7 m/s was carried out on a treadmill (6% inclination). Total red blood cells, total white blood cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts; haematocrit, haemoglobin, lactate, uric acid, creatinine and total plasma proteins concentrations and aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine-quinase activities were determined. To conclude: (i) the reference values for each parameter were determined for each of the exercise test stages (ii) all the parameters analysed manifested a medium-high heritability and a high repeatability. These results will, in the near future, determine the measuring guidelines for improving the SPB horse's athletic ability on an objective treadmill system and for selecting these animals in response to those parameters.

Utility of the discriminant analysis to categorize untrained Spanish Pure Bred horses on the basis of biochemical and muscle variables before and after a standardized exercise test.

We hypothesized that the information obtained from a discriminant analysis could be used to objectively discriminate horses untrained from early ages, in agreement with certain physiological characteristics. In the biopsies of 24 Spanish Pure Bred horses (1.5-3 years old) before and after a standardized exercise test (SET; 4-7 m/s with a change of velocity of 1m/s every 2 min) muscle enzymes, substrate and metabolites were determined. Also, diverse plasma and blood parameters were considered. Three pre-exercise groups (A1: six horses; A2: seven horses and A3: eleven horses) and two post-exercise groups (B1: sixteen horses; B2: eight horses) were defined from a correspondence analysis. Forward stepwise discriminant analysis selected 11 variables which differentiated the groups between each other both pre- and post-exercise. The results of the present study suggested the utility of a discriminant analysis to categorize horses in agreement with certain physiological variables. It could be used for establishing different types of training in each group by expert trainers.

Cardiotoxicidad posterior a la intoxicación por amitraz: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Cardiotoxicity following amitraz poisoning: a case report and literature review / Cardiotoxicidade após intoxicação pelo amitraz: relatório de caso e revisão da literatura

La intoxicación por amitráz típicamente genera una variedad de síntomas tales como bradicardia e hipotensión, con colapso hemodinámico, que pueden ocasionar un riesgo para la vida; además se presenta depresión neurológica y respiratoria, todos estos explicados por una caída del tono simpático a nivel central y periférico. Los defectos en el ritmo cardiaco no son la característica mas sobresaliente de este tipo de intoxicación puesto que no se han descrito efectos cardiotóxicos directos ocasionados por este agente químico. En este artículo se reporta un caso en donde se observa defecto de la conducción cardiaca posterior a la ingestión de amitráz. La toxicidad cardiovascular se manifestó con hipotensión, bradicardia, y además incluyó un bloqueo aurículo-ventricular de II grado Mobitz I, que se resolvió espontáneamente después de 24 de monitorización...

Amitraz poisoning typically produces a variety of symptoms, among others bradycardia and hypotension with hemodynamic collapse, that can be life-threatening; it can also show neurological and respiratory depression, all these explained by a fall in the sympathetic tone at central and peripheral level. Defects in heart rate are not the most outstanding characteristic of this sort of intoxication, since no direct cardio toxic effects have been proven to be caused by this chemical. This article reports a case where cardiac conduction defect is observed after ingestion of amitraz. Cardiovascular toxicity was manifested as hypotension, bradycardia, and also included was a second degree atrioventricular Mobitz I block, which spontaneously reverted after a 24 hour monitoring...

A intoxicação por amitraz tipicamente produz uma variedade de sintomas como bradicardia e hipotensão arterial, com colapso hemodinâmico, que pode causar risco de vida; também apresentam depressão neurológica e respiratória, todos esses explicado por uma queda do tônus simpático, a nível central e periférico. Os defeitos da freqüência cardíaca não são a característica mais marcante de intoxicação, porém não tem sido descritos efeitos cardiotóxicos diretos causados por esta substância. Este artigo relata um caso que mostra um defeito de condução cardíaca após a ingestão de amitraz. A toxicidade cardiovascular foi manifestada como hipotensão, bradicardia, e também incluiu um bloqueio atrioventricular de segundo grau Mobitz I, que resolveu-se espontâneamente após 24 de monitorização...

Porfiria aguda: reporte de caso y revisión de tema / Porfiria aguda. reporte de caso e revisão de tema / Acute porphyria: case report and review

Las porfirias agudas comprenden un grupo de desórdenes genéticos en la síntesis del grupo heme que pueden comprometer la vida del paciente y cuyas manifestaciones son similares a las de otras condiciones médicas. La falta de reconocimiento clínico y la demora en el diagnóstico retarda en ocasiones el inicio del tratamiento específico, incrementando así la morbimortalidad. El diagnóstico se puede confirmar rápidamente demostrando niveles elevados de porfirinas totales en sangre y en orina y de porfobilinógeno y de ácido delta-aminolevulínico en la orina. La terapia con hemina intravenosa iniciada tan pronto como sea posible es el tratamiento más efectivo y los factores desencadenantes se deben identificar y minimizar al máximo. Un diagnóstico temprano y un completo y adecuado tratamiento mejoran el pronóstico y previenen el desarrollo de complicaciones. En este reporte de caso se muestran las manifestaciones clínicas típicas de una porfiria aguda en una mujer joven a la que se le hizo un rápido diagnóstico, pero que falleció sin recibir tratamiento por la falta de disponibilidad del medicamento en el país...

The acute porphyries include a group of genetic disorders in the heme biosynthesis, that cause neurovisceral manifestations that mimic many medical conditions, psychiatric illnesses and sometimes, it even compromises the patients life. The lack of clinical recognition and delay in diagnosis, often retard the specific treatment and follow an increase in the morbimortality. The diagnosis can be quickly confirmed when demonstrating levels markedly high of porphobylinogen, and delta-aminolevulínic acid in urine and total porphyirines in blood and urine. The therapy with intravenous Hemine started as soon as possible is the most effective treatment. The trigger factors should be identified and minimized. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment thoroughly improves its prognosis and prevents the development of further complications. In this case report we show the typical manifestations of acute porphyria in a young woman, in which case the diagnosis was not delayed, the problem was the attainment of the specific treatment which was not available in Colombia and the patient died without treatment...

As porfiarias agudas compreendem um grupo de desordens genéticas na síntese do grupo heme que podem comprometer a vida do paciente e cujas manifestações são similares às de outras condições médicas. A falta de reconhecimento clínico e a demora no diagnóstico retarda em ocasiões o início do tratamento específico, incrementando assim a morbi mortalidade. O diagnostico se pode confirmar rapidamente demonstrando níveis elevados de porfirinas totais em sangue e na urina e de porfobilinógeno e de ácido aminolevulínico na urina. A terapia com hemina intravenosa iniciada tão cedo como seja possível é o tratamento mais efetivo e os fatores desencadeantes se devem identificar e minimizar ao máximo. Um diagnóstico cedo e um completo e adequado tratamento melhoram o prognóstico e prevem o desenvolvimento de complicações. Neste reporte de caso mostram-se as manifestações clínicas típicas de uma porfiria aguda numa mulher jovem à que se lhe fez um rápido diagnóstico, mas que faleceu sem receber tratamento pela falta de disponibilidade do medicamento no país...

Diagenesis, not biogenesis: Two late Roman skeletal examples.

Bone element analysis of two Late Roman populations from coastal south-eastern Spain suggests significant diagenesis. Trace element levels, in particular elevated Sr, Pb, Al, Mn, and the Ca/P ratio indicate post-mortem changes in the composition of the bones, preventing use of the data for dietary reconstructions, as well as for the investigation of the different individuals' health conditions, or of links between diet, health and skeletal indicators of growth stress. Such diagenetic biases are more widespread than usually recognized; paleodietary and paleoenvironmental inferences derived from the chemistry of archaeological bones need to be critically assessed.

Qualitative methodologies and community participation in examining reproductive experiences: the Harlem Birth Right Project.

OBJECTIVES: Racial disparities in health present a challenge to public health because of the complexity of interacting social forces. The Harlem Birth Right Project sought to improve understanding of these forces by using qualitative and community participatory methods. In this paper we 1) describe the process of qualitative inquiry and community involvement, 2) evaluate the impact of community participation, and 3) present a brief summary of the findings on social context as it relates to pregnancy outcomes of women in Harlem. METHODS: We operationalized the qualitative method by combining participant observation, longitudinal case studies, and focus groups. An ethnographic survey was used to verify and triangulate findings across methods of data collection. We involved the community in the design, implementation, and analysis by collaborating with community-based organizations, setting up a community advisory board, and the use of dialogue groups and community meetings. RESULTS: The use of qualitative methods and community partnership uncovered important aspects of the social context of women's lives that may not have emerged through traditional epidemiologic research. We found that pregnancy may serve as a catalyst to increase perception of the magnitude of preexisting social stressors. Several stressors and chronic strains associated with structural forces were identified. For example, the high percentage of households headed by women is seen as one consequence of larger structural forces. While social support networks serve as an important coping mechanism to buffer against the stress caused by these structural forces, the types of support women seek differs by social strata, and some strategies were identified as being substantially more effective than others. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative and community participatory research can be successfully conducted to support public health goals and can derive important new information on the social context of women's lives.

Zipf-scaling behavior in the immune system.

The Zipf law, an approach to analyzing linguistic texts, was applied to study the Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL) repertoire, one of the major components of the immune system. A Zipf-scaling behavior was observed in those CTL repertoires obtained in normal or conventional mice. In contrast, CTL repertoires from irradiated chimeric animals, showed a non-scaling statistical behavior when tested by the Zipf analysis, suggesting that normal repertoires work like a structured biological language. The fractal dimension (D) was derived from the Zipf plots, and correlates well with the nature of the repertoires: high, D > 0.8, in conventional mice. Non-fractal, D > 1, in chimeric animals, and low, D < 0.3, in athymic mice. Then, D seems to be an useful tool to characterize the current status of the immune system.

Comparative hematological study of two breeds of foals (Andalusian and Arab) subjected to exercise of progressive intensity.

Exercise-induced hematological alterations were studied in 20 four-year old foals, 11 Andalusian and 9 Arabian. They were subjected to a test exercise program consisting of 4 levels of gradually increasing intensity (15, 20, 25 and 30 km/hr) with a duration of 5 min each. Blood samples were taken during resting, after each exercise level and at 10 and 30 min of recovery from exercise. The following hematic parameters were analyzed: red blood count, hematocrit value, hemoglobin, volumetric indexes (MCV, MCH and MHCH) and total plasma proteins. The alterations as a result of the physical effort were studied as well as any possible differences between the two breeds. The Arabian foals showed higher total plasma protein concentrations when resting, after each exercise level and at 10 mins of recovery time. The other variables studied remained with similar values in the two breeds without any significant changes.

A comparative study of aerobic capacity and fitness in three different horse breeds (Andalusian, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian).

Aerobic capacity and fitness was studied in three different horse breeds (Andalusian, Arabian and Anglo-Arabian) using a four-level exercise test of gradually increasing intensity (15, 20, 25 and 30 km/h). The lactate concentration at the first three exercise levels was significantly lower for Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses relative to Andalusian horses, but similar for the three breeds at the last level. Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses reached a higher rate than Andalusian horses at plasma lactate concentration of 2 mmol/l (VLA2) and 4 mmol/l (VLA4). Andalusian horses exhibited a significantly lower heart rate at rest than the other two breeds, but the differences virtually disappeared at 15 km/h. At 20 km/h, Andalusian horses reached a higher heart rate than Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses; at 25 km/h, however, their heart rate only exceeded that of Anglo-Arabian horses. Finally, no significant differences between breeds were observed at 30 km/h. No differences between breeds as regards heart rate were found if this was expressed as a function of lactate plasma concentrations of 2 mmol/l (HRLA2) and 4 mmol/l (HRLA4). At a heart rate of 150 (VHR150) and 200 beta/min (VHR200), Andalusian horses achieved the lowest speeds.

Spinach carbonic anhydrase: investigation of the zinc-binding ligands by site-directed mutagenesis, elemental analysis, and EXAFS.

The enzyme carbonic anhydrase has been well characterized in mammalian systems, but the structural properties of the plant isozymes remain elusive. To investigate the nature of the zinc-binding site in spinach carbonic anhydrase, we targeted potential zinc ligands for mutagenesis and examined the resulting enzymes for catalytic activity and stoichiometric zinc binding. In addition, we examined the wild-type protein using extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. Our results suggest that spinach carbonic anhydrase utilizes a Cys-His-Cys-H2O ligand scheme to bind the zinc ion at the active site.

Differential study of electrocardiographic intervals in two neonatal crossbred swine.

The influence of the QT, TQ, and ST intervals, and heart score on both cardiac cycle duration (RR) and diastole/systole (D/S) quotient were analyzed during the neonatal (1 day and 5 days) pigs belonging to 2 crossbreeds of different rusticity, Landrace x Belgian White (LBW) and Landrace x Duroc Jersey (LDJ). Our findings indicate that the shortening of the RR interval in 5-day-old pigs of both crossbreeds was determined by different variables in each breed. In LDJ pigs, this shortening was only associated with a shortening of ventricular activation, and in each age group, the systole and the diastole contributed equally to the RR value. The D/S quotient did not differ significantly in 1-day-old vs 5-day-old pigs, and at both ages, the quotient was only determined by the TQ value. In LBW pigs, the RR, QT, TQ, and ST were shortened, but only the shortening of QT was significant as a result of an acceleration of the ventricular recuperation process. Moreover, differences were found between 1-day-old vs 5-day-old pigs with regard to the contribution of the different intervals to the RR duration. In 1-day-old pigs, the RR depended closely on the TQ, whereas in 5-day-old pigs, all intervals contributed significantly to its duration. The D/S quotient was not significantly different in 1-day-old vs 5-day-old pigs, but a different contribution of the variables studied was observed at the 2 ages selected. In 1-day-old pigs, D/S quotient depended on the diastole duration, whereas in 5-day-old pigs, the diastole and systole contributed to its variation.

Variations caused by physical training in the electrocardiographic outline of swine (Landrace X White Belgian).

To find the effect of exercise on the ECG, the electrocardiographic outlines in a training group of 7 two-month-old pigs (Landrace X White Belgian) were analyzed, compared with a nontraining control group of similar characteristics. In training animals a resting bradycardia was observed with a corresponding increase in the duration of the RR interval, as well as a duration increase in the ventricular activation time. On the contrary, the programmed training in this experiment has not influenced the amplitude of the electrocardiographic waves and the magnitude and orientation of the cardiac vectors.

Relationship between plasmatic concentrations of K, Na and Ca, and ECG from foals during postnatal phase.

The correlations between different electrocardiographic variables and plasma concentrations of K, Na and Ca ions were studied in foals of 1 to 14 days of age. The results obtained are only significant in neonate individuals of 1 day of age. Whilst the PQ segment and R wave duration showed a positive linear correlation (p less than or equal to 0.05) with plasma concentrations of Na and Ca ions respectively, the amplitude of the T wave showed a negative linear correlation (p less than or equal to 0.05) with the K ion. Moreover, the variability in duration of the QT and ST intervals can be explained by both Na (p less than or equal to 0.01 and p less than or equal to 0.05, respectively) and K (p less than or equal to 0.05 and p less than or equal to 0.01, respectively) plasma concentrations with which they show a positive linear correlation.

Influence of age on the ventricular activation and recuperation processes in the pig.

In order to establish if the electrical ventricular systole is affected by physical maturation, the electrocardiographic outline of 30 Landrace x White Belgian pigs was analyzed at ages of 1 day, 5, 20 and 45 days and 3, 4 1/2 and 6 months. Throughout the first 6 months of life the values for the parameters which represent the ventricular activation underwent an increase with physical maturation. The Q wave duration increased significantly from 45 days, and the R wave between 1 day and 45 days and from 4 1/2 months. The duration of the QRS complex and the QT interval experienced a significant increase from 5 days and between 5 and 45 days of age, respectively. The changes on the amplitude were most evident when using the lead V10 with which the R wave experienced the most significant increase during the first 20 days of life. With regard to the ventricular recuperation, the T wave duration underwent a gradual increase throughout the first six months of life. A similar evolution was experienced in the amplitude recorded in the aVF and V10 leads although in the latter the most significant increase took place between the 1st and 5th day of age. Likewise, the duration of the ST segment increased with physical maturation and more significantly between 5 and 45 days of age.

Onthogenic changes in the orientation of the ventricular activation and recovery mean vector in pig.

The effect of physical maturation on the ventricular activation and recuperation mean vectors has been analyzed in pigs during a period of time between 1 day and 6 months of age. The results showed that whilst the vectorial magnitude of AQRS on the horizontal plane was not affected by physical maturation, that of the spatial vector (SAQRS) underwent an increase during the period of study. Likewise, it was determined that the ventricular activation front showed an inclination to change its orientation from caudal, sinistral or dextral, to dextrocranial, maintaining the dorsal orientation in all individuals. For the ventricular recuperation mean vector the results showed that its vectorial magnitudes both on the horizontal plane and in space underwent an increase during the 6 months analyzed. As regards the direction of the recuperation front, it was established that, at any age, the preferential orientation is caudal, with a deviation to the left in a high percentage of the 20 day to 3 month old pigs, and ventral in all individuals.

Effect of age on the orientation of the auricular activation vector in pig.

The effects of cardiac maturation on the orientation of the auricular activation mean vectors (AP and SAP) in Landrace X White Belgian pigs has been analyzed. The magnitudes of AP and SAP vectors undergo a significant increase between 5 and 20 days of age. On the contrary, physical maturation does not appear to have any effect on the sequence of auricular activation in pigs, since in all the age groups analyzed, the same orientation for P vectors on the horizontal plane and in space was maintained. Both vectors indicated that the auricular activation front was predominantly directed towards the left, caudally and ventrally. It should be noted that in a high percentage of individuals of 1 to 5 days of age, the auricular activation vector goes towards the left and cranially.