SURGICALLY PRODUCED ARTERIAL LOOPS FOR DETERMINING BLOOD PRESSURES IN EXPERIMENTAL DOGS

During a series of experiments on dogs with hypertension, it was necessary to devise a simple means for determining blood pressures. The ordinary sphygmomanometer is not a satisfactory instrument for measuring blood pressures in the dog. The wedge shape of the dogs legs makes it almost impossible to keep an inflated cuff in proper position for the determinations. Blood pressures can be determined by femoral artery cannulation, but when numerous blood pressure measurements are required or when it is desirable to have an artery constantly available for instrumentation, this technic is not practical. Exteriorizing one of the carotid arteries, so that a modified sphygmomanometer can be used to give a direct reading of the blood pressure, is a simple surgical procedure. Researchers using a modified sphygmomanometer cuff on an exteriorized artery can take blood pressures as often as desired, with a minimum expenditure of time and effort. The animal requires no sedation or anesthetic agent for the procedure therefore, more accurate pressure can be recorded without considering the variables in pressure that may be due to the influences of drugs.