Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Blood pressure (BP) is an useful measurement to help assess the cardiovascular status of a patient during an anaesthetic, or as a diagnostic test for an underlying cause of ocular changes in cats as a result of high blood pressure. Many agents used during anaesthesia have an affect on the cardiovascular system, and blood pressure in particular so it is important to monitor and correct this if necessary. Some surgical procedures such as portosystemic shunt surgery, for example may have a direct effect on blood pressure and BP must be closely monitored throughout the procedure.  There are various methods, both invasive and non invasive of measuring blood pressure.

Blood pressure (BP) is a useful measurement to help assess the cardiovascular status of a patient during an anaesthetic, or as a diagnostic test for an underlying cause of ocular changes in cats as a result of high blood pressure. Many agents used during anaesthesia have an affect on the cardiovascular system, and blood pressure in particular so it is important to monitor and correct this if necessary. Some surgical procedures such as portosystemic shunt surgery, for example may have a direct effect on blood pressure and BP must be closely monitored throughout the procedure.  There are various methods, both invasive and non invasive of measuring blood pressure.

==Normal Arterial Blood Pressures==

==Normal Arterial Blood Pressures==

Method:

Method:

#Usually measured using the metacarpal and metatarsal artery, although the tail can also be used.

#Usually measured using the metacarpal and metatarsal artery, although the tail can also be used.

#Once a pulse has been detected, the doppler probe is placed in that position on the limb to check that it is audible and the probe canthen be taped to the limb.

#Once a pulse has been detected, the doppler probe is placed in that position on the limb to check that it is audible and the probe can then be taped to the limb.

#A cuff is selected and placed proximal to the doppler probe and attached to a manometer.

#A cuff is selected and placed proximal to the doppler probe and attached to a manometer.

#The cuff is inflated until the pulse is no longer audible on the doppler.

#The cuff is inflated until the pulse is no longer audible on the doppler.

===Arterial Catheterisation===

===Arterial Catheterisation===

Method:

Method:

#A catheter is placed in a peripheral artery and attached to either a anaeroid manometer or electronic transducer.

#A catheter is placed in a peripheral artery and attached to either an anaeroid manometer or electronic transducer.

#An anaeroid manometer gives a mean arterial blood pressure reading; an electronic transducer gives systolic, mean and diastolic arterial blood pressure readings.

#An anaeroid manometer gives a mean arterial blood pressure reading; an electronic transducer gives systolic, mean and diastolic arterial blood pressure readings.

#In dogs, the dorsal pedal artery is commonly used.

#In dogs, the dorsal pedal artery is commonly used.