Abstract
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the effects of age, body condition score (BCS) and muscle condition score (MCS) on indirect radial and coccygeal Doppler systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) measurements in dogs.MethodsSixty-two privately-owned dogs were enrolled between June and July 2016. The BCS and MCS were determined by two investigators. Blood pressure was measured per published guidelines and using headphones, and the order of measurement site was randomized. Dogs were positioned in right lateral recumbency for radial measurements and sternal recumbency or standing for coccygeal measurements. Associations between SAP and other variables were assessed by correlation coefficients and analysis of covariance.ResultsRadial and coccygeal SAP measurements were moderately correlated (r = 0.45, P < 0.01). Radial SAP measurements were higher than coccygeal SAP measurements (mean difference 9 mmHg, P < 0.01), but discordance occurred in both directions. No difference was observed between the first measurement taken, the average of measurements 2–6, or the average of all 6 measurements for either the radial (128, 129, and 129 mmHg; P = 0.36) or coccygeal (121, 122, and 122 mmHg; P = 0.82) site. Associations were not found between SAP measurements for either site and age, weight, BCS, MCS, anxiety score, or cuff size. Heart rate decreased significantly from the start of acclimation to the end of the first data collection series regardless of site (P < 0.01).Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceInitial measurement site can be based on patient and operator preference given lack of associations with patient variables, but the same site should be used for serial SAP measurements given discordant results between sites.
Highlights
Due to the lack of overt clinical signs directly attributable to systemic hypertension, it is considered one of the most under-diagnosed systemic illnesses in companion animalsHow to cite this article Mooney et al (2017), Effects of various factors on Doppler flow ultrasonic radial and coccygeal artery systolic blood pressure measurements in privately-owned, conscious dogs
Seventy dogs were enrolled in the study, of which eight were excluded due to intolerance of manipulation or systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) measurement at either the radial or coccygeal artery (n = 5) or unavailability of one of two investigators (JCW, DIM) to assign a body condition score (BCS)/muscle condition score (MCS) prior to subject discharge (n = 3)
Because routine blood pressure measurement is recommended for animals diagnosed with diseases associated with secondary hypertension (Acierno & Labato, 2004; Henik, Dolson & Wenholz, 2005; Brown et al, 2007) and they often are subjected to more frequent veterinary visits for diagnostic sampling and medical procedures, such patients are vulnerable to being misdiagnosed with hypertension if not allowed adequate acclimation and/or if other procedures are performed prior to blood pressure measurement
Summary
Due to the lack of overt clinical signs directly attributable to systemic hypertension, it is considered one of the most under-diagnosed systemic illnesses in companion animalsHow to cite this article Mooney et al (2017), Effects of various factors on Doppler flow ultrasonic radial and coccygeal artery systolic blood pressure measurements in privately-owned, conscious dogs. Prolonged systemic hypertension is associated with damage to the kidneys, eyes, brain, and heart (Brown & Henik, 1998; Brown et al, 2007; Hsiang, Lien & Huang, 2008; Carr & Egner, 2009). Due the impact of hypertension on long-term outcome, routine surveillance for hypertension is recommended for dogs displaying signs consistent with end organ damage or that have been diagnosed with diseases or conditions associated with secondary hypertension (Acierno & Labato, 2004; Henik, Dolson & Wenholz, 2005; Brown et al, 2007). While there is some debate regarding the relationship between advancing age and hypertension, conditions that can cause secondary hypertension are more often observed in geriatric pets, so this population should be monitored for the development of those diseases (Brown et al, 2007)
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