LE 5002 Non Invasive Blood Pressure Meter
USER MANUAL
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7.5.
ANAESTHETISING THE ANIMALS
The experimenter may also anaesthetise the animals, if there are any doubts regarding
the vasodilatation process. In any case, and if vasodilatation is not performed, the
temperature around the animals must always be kept at a minimum of 25ºC.
Anaesthesia brings in another variable that may substantially modify the animal’s
vasocirculatory behaviour: different types, forms and dosages of anaesthesia may cause
distortions in the measurement of the indirect pressure on the tail. It may even be
difficult to ascertain the value.
The hypothermia effect of anaesthesia should also be considered. This reduction in body
temperature triggers a fall in the flow of blood circulating through the vessels of the tail.
It may therefore be necessary to substantially increase the temperature, which in this
case may be done locally (heating the tail only).
Disproportionate heating temperatures do not make measurement easier. Generally,
there is a temperature value determined by experimenters’ experience, and that depends
on the animals, anaesthesia, breed, etc., which is the one most suitable for taking
measurements.
The diametric position of the transducer may be important, as the sensor part may
coincide with a vessel with high flow that facilitates detection of the pulse.
Since anaesthesia also causes a fall in the heart rate, a filter may be necessary for dogs
(on the back of the Unit) as the frequency values are close to those of this animal.
