Direct recording of arterial blood pressure and heart rate in the conscious rat
Andrews, D.I.; Jones, D.R.; Simpson, F.O.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 30(8): 524-525
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3573 PMID: 28409 Document Number: 127926
Several techniques for recording the arterial blood pressure of conscious rats previously were described. The techniques of Popovic and Popovic (1960) were modified to permit measuring blood pressure and heart rate for several hours without seriously restricting the movement of the rats. A method of inducing rats voluntarily to consume oral solutions of drugs while blood pressure is being recorded is also described. The main advantage of this method is that the cardiovascular effects of drugs can be evaluated in conscious rats in a familiar and nonrestrictive environment.