Radiotelemetric versus externalized catheter monitoring of blood pressure: effect of vasopressin in spontaneous hypertension.

摘要

The changes in arterial pressure that follow withdrawal of a 3-h intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin (AVP; 20 ng/kg/min) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were monitored by radiotelemetry or conventional externalized femoral arterial catheters connected to pressure transducers. Baseline control arterial pressure was lower in the telemetry group compared to the externalized group. After withdrawal of the AVP infusion, blood pressure fell below preinfusion levels in both groups but the decrease was much less in the telemetry group. Strikingly, absolute blood pressure values recorded both during and after the vasopressin infusion were remarkably similar in the two groups. Responses in rats with externalized catheters implanted 7 days before infusion of AVP, a protocol similar to the telemetry group, were similar to those in rats with catheters implanted 24 h earlier. Blood pressure remained decreased in SHR infused with AVP for several days with complete recovery requiring 6-7 days. In contrast, physical activity decreased only on the first day following withdrawal of the infusion. Thus, the mechanism accounting for the blood pressure decrease must be of a long duration and unrelated to a change in gross physical activity. The results emphasize the value of radiotelemetry for recording blood pressure responses.