Long‐term Telemetric Blood Pressure Measurement in a Translational Model of Non‐human Primate Spontaneous Hypertension

Abstract

A non‐human primate model of spontaneous hypertension has potential for understanding mechanisms of cardiovascular disease but requires a novel method for telemetric blood pressure measurement. Stellar Telemetry solid‐state pressure sensors were surgically implanted into the abdominal aorta of feral, male monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus). Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MBP) arterial pressures, core body temperature and heart rate were determined using different data acquisition parameters to assess system precision and reliability in this physically active non‐human primate. Animals were pre‐phenotyped for normotension (NT) or hypertension (HT) using forearm plethysmography. Various recording parameters yielded consistent blood pressure in NT (MBP=104±4.35 mmHg) and HT (MBP=126±7.57 mmHg) animals. Ultrasonography documented effective placement of sensors within the aorta lumen. Consistent aortic blood pressure recordings were obtained for 6 months post catheter implantation. Necropsy revealed no sensor induced blood or organ pathologies. The Stellar Telemetry system effectively monitors conscious blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature in active primates allowing for physiological assessments during natural social interactions and species specific behaviors. This model of hypertension in an old world, non‐human primate is translational to human essential hypertension and allows for new directions in a genetically similar species.Supported by Biomedical Sciences Research Group, LLC; TSE Systems, Inc.; Behavioural Sciences Foundation