Measurement of Mean Arterial Pressure by Carotid Artery Cannulation in Isoflurane Anesthetized Wistar Rats

Abstract

Experimental studies on small lab animals, particularly rats are a widely-used model (Ordodi et. all 2004). Blood pressure measurement is one of the fastest and most informative means of assessing cardiovascular function and provides an accurate indication of drug effects, surgical events and hemodynamic trends (Tranquilli et. all, 2007). A close monitoring of the animals during the experiment is important to detect early imbalances and prevent any changes that could compromise the results.Blood pressure measurement is one of the basic procedures in biomedical research and it can be done by non-invasive or invasive technics. The gold standard procedures with the most accuracy are the invasive technics. This includes radial, femoral, brachial or carotid cannulation (Parasuraman et. all 2012). Carotid artery catheterization is a common procedure that allows precise monitoring of the blood pressure but surgery is required to perform them (Plehm et. all 2006).Experimental surgery on small lab animals, especially rats, it’s a widely used model. In order to perform surgery, anaesthesia must be used and it usually causes a slowdown of the respiration that induces metabolic imbalances. It could cause cardiovascular collapse and death if left unbalanced. A close monitoring of the respiration, ECG, blood pressure is necessary during the experiment (Ordodi et. all 2004).Because it may not be always available or the prohibitive cost of the special equipment used to perform these tasks, we adapted a simple device and method to record the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in rats by carotid catheterisation and the results obtained were sustainable.