Indirect Doppler flow systolic blood pressure measurements taken with and without headphones in privately-owned, conscious dogs

Abstract

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of headphone use and covariates on indirect radial Doppler flow systolic arterial blood pressure (BP) measurements in dogs. Methods Between May and August 2018, 100 privately-owned dogs were enrolled. Blood pressure was measured in lateral recumbency, with and without headphones, using a randomized crossover design. The initial BP, mean of BP 2-6, weight, BCS, MCS, anxiety score, and heart rate were recorded. Mixed effects crossover analyses and Spearman rank correlation coefficients were determined. Results Eighty-four dogs completed the study. Eleven dogs were removed due to excessive anxiety, 10 of which were in the non-headphone first group. The number of dogs diagnosed as hypertensive did not differ between measurement types (19 vs. 18), with seven dogs categorized as hypertensive during both periods. Significant differences in BP were identified (F[1, 80] = 4.3, P = 0.04) due to higher results for measurements taken without headphones for BP 1, but not BP 2-6. Systolic BP was positively correlated with anxiety score, age, and weight. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Though BP 1 was significantly higher when taken without headphones, this pattern did not persist for BP 2-6. Lack of association between BP 2-6 results and measurement type could reflect exclusion of dogs most sensitive to white coat hypertension, acclimation to technique, or improved sound quality of headphones. Given significantly higher BP 1 results and disproportionate exclusion of dogs due to anxiety when measurements first were taken without headphones, use of headphones is recommended to improve accuracy of results.

Effect of audible static on blood pressure measurement by Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry in cats

“…A study in client-owned dogs showed that only the first BP measurement was higher when taken without headphones; however, the five subsequent readings and the average of the five readings were not. 26 As previously mentioned, one published abstract with healthy and diseased client-owned cats reported no significant differences in direct Doppler flow BP measurements collected with and without headphones 8 weeks apart. 11 This is the first study that considers age to be a factor.…”

Hipertensão arterial sistêmica e as diretrizes para identificação, avaliação, controle e manejo hipertensivo em cães e gatos

“…O uso de fones de ouvido pode ser uma alternativa para pacientes que apresentam sinais de incômodos com ruídos. Gill et al (88) conduziram um estudo com objetivo de analisar o impacto do uso de fones de ouvido e variáveis associadas na obtenção dos valores pressóricos pelo método indireto em cães. Os autores observaram que não houve diferenças entre o uso ou não dos fones de ouvido para cães, embora os valores de pressão da primeira rodada estivessem mais altos no grupo sem.…”

“…Além disso, o uso dos fones possibilitou uma melhor acurácia dos resultados. A aferição pressórica deve ser realizada de forma adequada, de forma que, mediante a confirmação da condição, estratégias de tratamento para manutenção e controle devem ser executadas (1,88). Diante dessa importância, gravidade e repercussão, os animais não podem ser sentenciados completamente mediante aferições mal-conduzidas.…”

Impact of equipment and handling on systolic blood pressure measurements in conscious dogs in an animal hospital environment

“…Several factors affect results of blood pressure (BP) measurements in conscious dogs in a clinical environment. Relevant examples include breed, [1][2][3][4] sex, [5][6][7] age, [8][9][10][11] operator and operator experience, 12,13 and owner presence during measurements. 2 Types of measurement device, 14,15 and cuff size and placement, 16,17 are other factors that might affect BP measurement results.…”