Electrocardiogram of the Arctic Ground Squirrel During Hibernation and Hypothermia

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Abstract
Ecg and body temperature of the arctic ground squirrel were measured during hibernation and hypothermia. No correlation between heart rate, colonic temperature, and cheek pouch temperature was observed during hibernation. Slow heart rate consisted mainly in an increase in duration of the T-P segment and P-R segment and in part an increase in duration of the QRS complex. Left bundle branch block was observed in all hibernating individuals and right bundle branch block in hypothermic ones. The relative sensitivity of modified (conducting) and non-modified heart muscle to low temperatures is discussed. Rapid recovery (oxidation) during hypothermia and hibernation may indicate high metabolic activity in the cold.

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