The Effect of Different Treatments on the Electrocardiogram, Peripheral Circulation, Heart

Sounds, and Diving Reflex

Julio Francisco, Chris Grant, Chessie Cales and, Nora Abbas

Dr. Turingan

Mammalian Physiology

September 10, 2013

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50/60
Good report- include more discussion of what you expected and COMPARE your

results to that

Results:

We conducted a series of experiments for different purposes, mainly focusing on

examining a subjects electrocardiogram (ECG), peripheral circulation, heart sounds, and diving

reflex. In the first set of experiments, we recorded the subjects resting ECG and pulse signals at

room temperature using Labscribe software, ECG electrodes, and a plethysmograph. The

electrode were placed the subject right and left wrist and right ankle, while the plethysmograph

was strapped on the middle finger. After recording these signals, we determined and averaged the

beat period, heart rate and R-Purse interval. The heart rate was calculated using the following

equation:

60 seconds/minue
Heart Beat (beats/minute)= Yay!!
seconds/beat

[Equation 1]

In the second and third experiments, we examined the effect on the subjects heart rate,

pulse wave amplitude, and R-interval when placing a bag of cold and warm water on the

subjects forearm. The objective of the second experiment was to determine the effect of cold

temperature on the pulse and heart rate. We preceded the experiment by asking the subject to

attach the plethysmograph around the middle finger of their left hand. Then, we recorded the

subjects ECG and pulse signals as the subject was exerted with a bag of ice on the left hand. We

recorded the signals for three stages: (1) before placing the bag of ice on the subjects left hand at

room temperature, (2) during the time the bag was positioned on the left hand, and (3) after

removing the cold bag from the subjects hand. After recording the signals, we measured and

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averaged the values of the pulse wave amplitude, beat period, and the R-Pulse interval for the

room temperature, cooling period (the period when the ice bag was applied to subjects left

hand), and rewarming period (the period after removing the ice bag). For the third experiment,

we used similar technique as the second experiment; expect we used a bag of warm water instead

of cold ice. Figure 1-3 show a comparison of the different mean of the subjects heart rate, pulse

wave amplitude and R-interval when applying different treatments.

Graph provided by Chessie Cales

Figure 1. The mean heart rate (BPM) of the subject when tested with different temperatures.

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 Graph provided by Chessie Cales
Figure 2. The mean pulse wave amplitude (mV) of the subject when exposed with different
temperatures.

Graph provided by Chessie Cales.

Figure 3. The average R-Pulse interval (sec) of the subject when tested with different
temperatures.

In the fourth set of experiments, we determined and averaged the values of R-Wave, T-

Wave, and P-Wave amplitudes using the same approach as the first experiment.

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 For fifth experiment, we studied the phase of heart sounds. We preceded the exercise by

having someone to listen to the subjects heart sounds using a stethoscope and an event marker to

record the number of lub-dub sounds of the heart. After recording the lub-dub melody, we

computed the average R-Lub and T-Dub interval.

In the last experiment, we examined the heart rate of the subject during four different

stages: the resting period, the apnea period, and a period when the subject dipped his face in both

cold and room temperature water. During the resting period, the subject attached the

plethysmograph to the middle finger. The subject was asked to relax, while someone recorded

the pulse and heart rate of the subject. The minimum, maximum, and mean heart rate was

obtained.

In the apnea period, the subject was asked to hold their breath as long as possible. We

recorded the pulse and heat rate before, during, and after the subjected was holding their breath.

The minimum, maximum, and mean heart rate was determined. We performed the same

technique when the subject submerged their head in a container of both room temperature and

icy water. Figure 4 compares the mean heart rate for each stage.

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 Graph provided by Chessie Cales.
Figure 4.The Effect of Different Treatments on Heart Rate ( BPM).

Table of lub/dub values -3

Discussion:

The peripheral circulation refers to the transport of blood to the surface of the skin. When

being exposed to cold environmental condition, a reduction in blood flow occurs, transferring the

blood to the torso and deep into the core of the body. In addition, there is a rapid decline of blood

in the fingers and toes. During the rewarming period, the blood flow increases and the fingers

and toes rewarm again (Cheung, 2012). On the contrary, the physiological effects of being

exposed to warm conditions are pulse and circulation increases, metabolism rises, blood pressure

decreases, and respiration rate increases (Heat, 2005). With this in mind, we first invetigated the

effects of cooling and warming on the heart rate, pulse wave amplitude, and R-pulse interval. We

theorized that there was no difference between the heart rate, pulse wave amplitude, and R-pulse

interval when employing cold and warm conditions to the subject. Alternatively, we considered

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the fact that there can be a differences between the heart rate, amplitude, and interval when

exposed to various temperatures. After performing the experiment, our results supported the

thereom that there was no difference between the subjects heart rate (p=0.880) and R-Pulse

interval (p=0.163). However, there was a difference for the heart rate when applying cold and

warm bag of water to the subjects forearm (p=0.002). Also report (F, df) and interpret

hypotheses (support/refute)

Further in the experiment, we obtained for the values for the P-, R-, and T-waves. The

amplitube of each waves were the same. However, the R wave has the largest amplitude. This is

due to the fact that R wave depolarize the ventricules, which the ventricules have a large muscle

mass and generate copious amount of electrical activity. Furthermore, an event significant to be

mention is that the lub occur near the R wave. This is due to the fact that the R wave

depolarize (excite) the ventricular, which causes the ventricular to contration and start the

ventriacular systole. What are normal values for the ECG waves? -1 The lub is

produced with the closure of the atrioventricular (AV) and induced the onset of the ventriacular

systole. There is a time delay between the R wave and the lub sound. Likewise, the T wave

occur near the dub sound of the heart. This is due to the fact that the T wave repolarize the

ventricular, which occurs prior to diastole, and the dub close of the semilunar valves, which

end at the end of the systole. The is no time delay between the T wave and the dub (Sherwood,

2012).

In the last experiment, we investigate the effect of four different treatments on the

subjects heart rate. The four treatments are the following: (1) the subject was relaxed (resting) at

room temperature, (2) the subject endured state of apnea, (3) the subject immersed his face in

25C of water and (4) the subject submersed his face in 5C of water. At first, we anticipated a

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higher heart rate during the apnea stage than the resting stage. The results confirmed our

preconception that the subjects apnea heart rate is higher than the resting heart rate. Why? -1

Moreover, we hypothesized that there was no difference in heart rate when employing different

treatments to the subject. Our alternative hypothesis was that there was a difference in heart rate

under different conditions. Did you run an ANOVA? Stats -1 As one can see from figure 4, the

heart rate of the subject dramatically changes how? -1 What about 25C water? -1 when

immersing the subject in 5C of water. Submerging the subject in water was conducted to study

diving reflex. Diving reflex is the ability that some animals have developed mechanism which

allows them to sustain under water for a prolong period of time. The diving reflex helps ensure

that oxygen is carried to the highest priority, like the brain, heart, and glands. The rest of organs

stores oxygen or undergo anaerobic respiration.

Background/mechanism: How is beat originated and propagated? -2

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 References:

Cheung, S. S., & Daanen, H. M. (2012). Dynamic Adaptation of the Peripheral Circulation to

Cold Exposure. Microcirculation, 19(1), 65-77. doi:10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00126.x

Heat. (2008). In Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.credoreference.c

om/entry/ehsdent/heat

Sherwood, Lauralee. (2012). Fundamentals of Human Physiology. 4th ed. Belmont, CA:

Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.