DOI: 10.3390/biology15191711 ISSN: 2079-7737

Electrophysiology of the Camel Heart: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Camelus dromedarius

Alyazia Alshamsi, Jawaher Abdulhakim, Mariam Alnuaimi, Azhar T. Rahma, Reem AlSheryani, Ismail Elkonaisi, Frank C. Howarth

Objective: We aimed to synthesise the available evidence on dromedary-camel electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements, rhythm, and conduction while distinguishing direct electrophysiological studies from supporting cardiovascular reports. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and supplementary sources were searched from inception to 22 December 2025. During revision, the research librarian verified that the saved strategies contained the principal ECG and conduction terms. This verification did not retrieve or screen additional database records. Results: Fifteen primary studies met the eligibility criteria, all involving Camelus dromedarius. Six provided direct ECG or electrical telemetry data, whereas nine provided supporting heart rate, Doppler, echocardiographic, or haemodynamic data that were not used to derive ECG intervals or arrhythmia frequency. Direct studies reported low resting heart rates, atrioventricular conduction times (PR intervals) of approximately 180–260 ms, and drug-associated rhythm or conduction abnormalities. Lead configuration, animal position, recording duration, sampling, and outcome reporting varied substantially. Biological sex was incompletely reported, and no study compared males with females. Conclusions: The directly measured ECG findings are preliminary descriptors rather than validated reference intervals. Confidence is limited by small samples, methodological heterogeneity, the dated search, and possible loss of baseline studies through the executed exposure/context block. The conclusions apply only to Camelus dromedarius. Registration: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), CRD420251169514.