Indirect blood pressure determination by Doppler technique in renal hypertensive cats

Abstract

The Doppler ultrasonic recording technique was used to measure systolic and diastolic blood pressures indirectly in renal hypertensive cats. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparing indirect blood pressures from one leg of a cat with direct pressure measurements from the other leg. A linear relationship existed between indirect and direct systolic and diastolic pressures. The consistency of the method was assessed by measuring blood pressure during a 5-h monitoring period in normotensive and renal hypertensive cats. No significant variation occurred over this period. The sensitivity of the method to blood pressure changes was determined also. A significant reduction in systolic and diastolic pressure induced by hydralazine, 10 mg/kg po, was recorded during a 5-h monitoring period. The development of renovascular hypertension was followed for approximately 70 days. Systolic pressure rose in a logarithmic fashion from 160 to a maximum of 240 mmHg. It was concluded that the Doppler ultrasonic technique is a simple and reliable method for recording indirect blood pressure acutely and chronically in conscious unrestrained cats.

Systolic Blood Pressure of Clinically Normal and Conscious Cats Determined by an Indirect Doppler Method in a Clinical Setting

“…The importance of maintaining normal BP and the consequences of abnormal BP are well known [5,9,12,27]. In cats, abnormal BP is associated with a variety of disease states, such as renal, cardiovascular, endocrine, and ocular diseases [5,9,15,19]. Although BP measurement is important, it is not routinely performed partially owing to a lack of sufficient evidence for adequate references in a clinical setting.…”

“…When performed by an experienced clinician or technician, SBP can be measured quickly and accurately with minimal stress to the cat. (Table 2) [15,16,20,25]. Klevans and coworkers determined that SBP in 5 healthy cats varied from 139 ± 8 to 146 ± 9 mmHg when measured hourly over a 5-hr period [15].…”

“…(Table 2) [15,16,20,25]. Klevans and coworkers determined that SBP in 5 healthy cats varied from 139 ± 8 to 146 ± 9 mmHg when measured hourly over a 5-hr period [15]. In 1990, Kobayashi and coworkers reported a mean SBP of 118.4 ± 10.6 mmHg from 33 clinically normal cats [16].…”

“…In conscious patients, the indirect Doppler technique has a better successful measurement rate, shows less sensitivity to respiration or movement of the animals, and has a shorter operating duration than oscillometric methods [14,21,28]. To date, only a few studies have surveyed feline BP distribution or generated reference ranges with the Doppler method, and there are some conflicting opinions on criteria for feline hypertension [15,16,20,25].…”

Non-invasive Blood Pressure Measurements in Cats: Clinical Significance of Hypertension Associated with Chronic Renal Failure.

“…Correlation in the blood pressure using either invasive or non-invasive methods in anesthetized cats was reported [1,5,7]. The techniques per se for measuring blood pressure are thought to be well established, but, since measuring the blood pressure of awake cats is known to be extremely difficult, blood pressure measurements are not taken routinely in the clinic.…”