Comparison of indirect and direct blood pressure measurements in baboons during ketamine anaesthesia

Background The aim of this study was to assess agreement between different methods of blood pressure measurement in anaesthetised baboons. Methods Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) were measured in anaesthetised baboons using intra-arterial radiotelemetry, automated oscillometry and mercury sphygmomanometry. Correlation between the different methods was assessed. Results The correlation between intra-arterial radiotelemetry and automated oscillometry was 0.9 (P < 0.001) for SBP and 0.9 (P < 0.001) for DBP. Between-method differences were −4.4 ± 7.2 mm Hg for SBP and −3.4 ± 7.1 mm Hg for DBP. For automated oscillometry vs. mercury sphygmomanometry, correlation was 0.4 for both SBP (P < 0.001) and DBP (P < 0.001). Between-method differences were 7.9 ± 12.7 mm Hg for SBP and 7.3 ± 12.6 mm Hg for DBP. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that automated oscillometry may be an appropriate alternative to telemetry for measuring blood pressure in anaesthetised baboons.