Factors Affecting Blood Pressure Variability: Lessons Learned from Two Systematic Reviews of Randomized Controlled Trials

Systematic reviews can often reveal much more than the original objective of the work. The objectives of this retrospective analysis were to answer three basic questions about blood pressure variability: 1) Does blood pressure entry criterion have an effect on baseline blood pressure variability? 2) Do thiazide diuretics have a significant effect on blood pressure variability? and 3) Does systolic blood pressure vary to the same degree as diastolic blood pressure? This analysis of blood pressure variability is based on resting standardized research setting BP readings from two systematic reviews evaluating blood pressure lowering efficacy of thiazide diuretics from double blind randomized controlled trials in 33,611 patients with primary hypertension. The standard deviation reported in trials was the focus of the research and the unit of analysis. When a threshold systolic or diastolic blood pressure value is used to determine entry into a trial, baseline variability is significantly decreased, systolic from 14.0 to 9.3 mmHg and diastolic from 8.4 to 5.3 mmHg. Thiazides do not change BP variability as the standard deviation and coefficient of variation of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure did not differ between thiazide and placebo groups at end of treatment. The coefficient of variation of systolic blood pressure was significantly greater than the coefficient of variation of diastolic blood pressure. Entry criterion decreases the baseline blood pressure variability. Treatment with a thiazide diuretic does not affect blood pressure variability. Systolic blood pressure varies to a greater degree than diastolic blood pressure.     

Association of Processed Meat Intake with Hypertension Risk in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

In this cross-sectional study, we hypothesized that hemodialysis patients consuming greater processed meat is associated with hypertension risk, which can be partly explained by the high sodium content in processed meat. From September 2013 to May 2014, one hundred and four patients requiring chronic hemodialysis treatment were recruited from hemodialysis centers. Data on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure before receiving dialysis, and 3-day dietary records of the recruited patients were collected. HD patients with systolic and diastolic blood pressures greater than140 mmHg and higher than 90 mmHg, respectively, were considered hypertension risk. Protein foods were divided into 4 categories: red meat, white meat, soybeans, and processed meat (e.g., sausage and ham). In a model adjusted for energy intake and hypertension history, additional servings of processed meats was positively associated to systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.1 [1.0–4.3]), and diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg (odds ratio: 2.5 [1.2–5.5]). After adjustment for dietary sodium contents or body mass index (BMI), most associations were substantially attenuated and were no longer significant. In systolic blood pressure greater than140 mmHg, one serving per day of red meats (β = -1.22, P < .05) and white meats (β = -0. 75, P = .05) was associated with a reduced risk compared with one serving per day of processed meats. Similarly, compared with one serving per day of processed meat, a reduced risk of diastolic blood pressure higher than 90 mmHg was associated with one serving per day of red meat (β = -1. 59, P < .05), white meat (β = -0. 62, P < .05). Thus, in these hemodialysis patients, intake of processed meat is significantly positively associated with higher blood pressure risk, and both sodium contents in processed meat and BMI significantly contributes to this association.     

Pharmacological analysis of wine-stimulated gastric acid secretion in dogs

Wine apparently stimulates gastric acid secretion both in man and animals, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study was attempted to clarify the pharmacological properties involved in gastric acid secretion stimulated by wine in beagle dogs. Commercially available red or white wine, 14% ethanol, or 10% peptone meal was intragastrically administered to dogs with vagally denervated Heidenhain pouches. Gastric acid secretion was stimulated by both red and white wines (25-50 ml) for 45-60 min. While S-0509 only tended to inhibit wine-stimulated gastric acid secretion, both atropine and famotidine significantly inhibited wine-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Plasma gastrin level was not significantly increased by administration of red and white wines. Administration of 14% ethanol also stimulated gastric acid secretion, but the effect was about half of that of wine. Combined administration of wine and peptone resulted in a biphasic stimulation of gastric acid secretion. S-0509, atropine and famotidine significantly inhibited wine+peptone meal stimulation, yet the order of inhibition of cumulative acid secretion was in the order, famotidine>atropine>S-0509. It was concluded that wine stimulated gastric acid secretion in denervated dogs via acethylcholine- and histamine-dependent mechanisms, but nearly independent from the intervention of gastrin.     

Potential Biomarker Peptides Associated with Acute Alcohol-Induced Reduction of Blood Pressure

The purpose of this study was to explore the peptides that are related to acute reduction of blood pressure after alcohol drinking. Venous blood was collected from male healthy volunteers before and after drinking white wine (3 ml/kg weight) containing 13% of ethanol. Peptidome analysis for serum samples was performed using a new target plate, BLOTCHIP^®. Alcohol caused significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels at 45 min. The peptidome analysis showed that the levels of three peptides of m/z 1467, 2380 and 2662 changed significantly after drinking. The m/z 1467 and 2662 peptides were identified to be fragments of fibrinogen alpha chain, and the m/z 2380 peptide was identified to be a fragment of complement C4. The intensities of the m/z 2380 and m/z 1467 peptides before drinking were associated with % decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels at 45 min after drinking compared with the levels before drinking, while there were no significant correlations between the intensity of the m/z 2662 peptide and % decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels after drinking. The m/z 1467 and 2380 peptides are suggested to be markers for acute reduction of blood pressure after drinking alcohol.     

Path analysis of familial resemblance in blood pressure in Middle Dalmatia,Croatia

The familial resemblance in blood pressure in Middle Dalmatia, Croatia, has been analyzed using the Path-analytic approach. The sample consisted of 1,126 examinees (526 males and 600 females, aged 17 to 87), inhabitants of the Middle Dalmatia's islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula and the Peljesac peninsula. The Path analysis was performed with the assumption that each family member (father, mother, offspring 1 and 2) has a latent variable (C) that influences both the blood pressure values (P) and the morphological dimensions significantly correlated with blood pressure (Q). According to the estimates revealed from the most parsimonious models, the diastolic blood pressure has a more pronounced genetic component (h2 = 30-32%) than the systolic blood pressure (h2 = 15%). In contrast to the low intergenerational influences, the members of the same generation showed pronounced effects of shared environment. Common (non-transmitted) offsprings' environment (B) explains 44% of variance of the individual offspring's environment (C) in systolic and 33-35% in diastolic blood pressure. The correlation of father's and mother's environment (u2) was high in the case of diastolic blood pressure (33-44%) but for the systolic blood pressure it was not significantly different from zero. According to the presented results in insular/peninsular population of Middle Dalmatia, family resemblance of systolic and diastolic blood pressure differs. The resemblance is higher in diastolic blood pressure with stronger additive genetic component and stronger environmental and/or genetic component related with morphology. The sources of high heritability of diastolic blood pressure in Middle Dalmatia as well as the sources of high prevalence of hypertension in the same population are the phenomena that might be connected and thus deserve to be further explored in incoming analyses.     

MIND-SETS OF THE WINE CONSUMER

This paper presents the results from a study of consumer reactions to different attributes of red and white wine, with stimuli presented in the form of small, experimentally designed, test concepts (conjoint measurement). The results show that possibly four consumer mind-sets exist, with each mind-set comprising a different set of communication drivers for concept acceptance. Most subjects fit into one of three key categories; "Classics" (who want their wines to be traditional), "Imaginers" (who want to get into the drinking experience through knowing details about their wines) or "Elaborates" (who want their wines to produce many sensations and flavors). A fourth group (No Frills), were interested in simple and safe wines without any detail of flavor or origin. This segment was found in the red wine study, but not in the white wine study.     

Evaluation of blood pressure changes and heart rate in young health men based on results of a 24-hour monitoring of pressure]

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and heart rate were monitored in a group of 20 young healthy men for 24 hours. Period of time between 8 o'clock a.m. and 10 o'clock p.m. was treated as waking state whereas period of time from 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. as sleep phase. Mean value of systolic blood pressure for waking state was 124.6 +/- 7.6 mm Hg, and for sleep phase 110.4 +/- 11.5 mm Hg. (p < .001). Mean diastolic blood pressures were also significantly different (76.5 +/- 5.9 mm Hg and 63.8 +/- 7.7 mm Hg, respectively), the same concerns heart rate (79.6 +/- 6.4 and 63.0-7.2 min-1, respectively). In both cases p < .001. To evaluate dependence of heart rate on systolic blood pressure in waking state the following calculation was made: HR = 0.230 x systolic blood pressure +51.4 (r = 0.24; p < .001) whereas for sleep phase r did not reach a level of statistical significance (HR = 0.074 x systolic blood pressure + 53.9; r = 0.094). Single or even multiple measurements of the arterial blood pressure are not sufficient to evaluate circadian changes.     

Could White Coat Ocular Hypertension Affect to the Accuracy of the Diagnosis of Glaucoma? Relationships Between Anxiety and Intraocular Pressure in a Simulated Clinical Setting

Sixty-one healthy subjects participated in a laboratory study carried out in a simulated clinical setting. Anticipatory anxiety-state was assessed at the arrival and immediately after, with no brief phase of adaptation, measurements of intraocular pressure, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were collected. At the end of the procedure, anxiety-trait was also assessed. Results suggest that high levels of both anxiety-state and anxiety-trait significantly predicted a clinically relevant increase of intraocular pressure. Anxiety-state mediated the relationship between anxiety-trait and intraocular pressure, which also was found to be related with heart rate but not related to both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. These results suggest a common mechanism of regulation underlying anxiogenic variability found on both intraocular pressure and heart rate. A reduction in parasympathetic activity appears as a possible mechanism underlying to this phenomenon. This anxiety-enhanced intraocular pressure could be considered a phenomenon analogous to white coat hypertension found in the measurement of blood pressure; therefore, it probably should be taken into account in the clinical context to prevent errors in the diagnosis of glaucoma. Further research on cognitive and emotional regulation of intraocular pressure is needed to best characterize this hypothetical phenomenon.     

Long-term follow-up of a hypertension screening program.

Of 185 people found to be hypertensive in a shopping centre screening program who went to their physician and had medication prescribed, then were contacted 18 months later, 33 had discontinued the medication at their physician''s request. But of 152 who were to continue taking medication 139 (91.4%) had complied. Blood pressure had decreased to less than 160 mm Hg systolic or less than 95 mm Hg diastolic, or both, in 65.1% of the 152; was 160 to 169 mm Hg systolic or 95 to 99 mm Hg diastolic, or both, in 13.8%; was mildly or moderately decreased but still above 169 mm Hg systolic or 99 mmHg diastolic, or both, in 8.6%; and was higher than before the onset of treatment in 3.9%. Adequacy of blood pressure control was not related to age, sex, initial blood pressure values, awareness before the screening of having hypertension, or treatment for hypertension before the screening. Diuretics had been prescribed for 93.5% of the 139 patients, most often as single-pill combinations with other antihypertensive agents.     

Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure in Congestive Heart Failure and Effects of ACE Inhibitors

In 33 patients with heart failure (NYHA 11-III), the 24-h blood pressure rhythm was examined before and after the titration period of two ACE inhibitors. Blood pressure was measured by the oscillometric method using the blood pressure monitor 90202 from SpaceLabs, Inc. The measurements were taken from 06:OO to 22:OO h every 20 min and from 22:00 to 06:00 h every hour. Patients were randomized to therapy with either captopril (group 1, n = 17) or enalapril (group 2, n = 16). The average daily dosage of captopril was 41 ± 3 mg given in three divided doses (08:00, 12:00, and 17:00 h). The mean dose of enalapril was 8 ± 1 mg once daily (08:00 h). Serum electrolytes, serum creatinine, and plasma renin activity were measured before and during therapy with both ACE inhibitors. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure measurements were taken before and on the fifth day of treatment with ACE inhibitors. Both groups were not different with respect to the degree of heart failure, the concomitant medication, and the 24-h profiles of blood pressure and heart rate before initiation of ACE inhibition. The 24-h blood pressure values on day 5 were consistently below the pretreatment values (p < 0.005) in both groups. Both groups did not differ significantly during ACE inhibition in their 24-h blood pressure and heart rate profiles. In both groups, the mesor of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly by the same degree (by 4.7/5.1 mmg Hg in group 1 and 6.4/4.1 mm Hg in group 2). The systolic/diastolic blood pressure amplitude decreased slightly in both groups. Before treatment, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine were within the normal range. The increase in potassium (0.5 ± 0.1 mmol/L) reached statistical significance (p < 0.01) only in the captopril group, whereas it was not significant in the enalapril group (0.1 ± 0.1 mmol/L). Serum creatinine was not significantly altered by both ACE inhibitors. No relationship could be found between the changes in serum potassium or creatinine and the mean of the 24-h blood pressure values during ACE inhibition. Captopril and enalapril showed comparable blood pressure profiles and similar effects on renal function at the end of the titration on day 5. It can therefore be concluded that the effects on blood pressure rhythm and renal function are similar with a single daily dose of enalapril compared to captopril given three times daily.     

The distribution of mutagenic activity in red, rose and white wines

Using a modified Salmonella typhimurium TA98 Ames-test system, more than 150 red, white and rose wines were analyzed for direct-acting and microsomal enzyme-enhanced mutagenic activity. The following conclusions were reached from analysis of this wine mutagenicity data base. White and rose wines, as well as grape juices, exhibited little or no detectable direct-acting or microsomal enzyme-enhanced mutagenic activity. However, red wine samples contained highly variable amounts of mutagens, ranging from undetectable to levels 30-fold above the sensitivity limit of the assay system. The variations in red wine mutagenicity were unrelated to grape variety, vintage, aging methods or production region. Hence, individual winery production practices must represent the most significant contribution to the variations observed.     

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures as predictors of coronary heart disease mortality in the Whitehall study.

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were compared as predictors of death due to coronary heart disease using data on the 10 year mortality outcome from the 18 403 male civil servants, aged 40-64, in the Whitehall study. There were 727 deaths due to coronary heart disease. At entry to the study the systolic pressure in these men was significantly higher than the diastolic pressure, and a standardised index of relative risk for death from coronary heart disease was greater for systolic blood pressure. After adjustment for age the top quintile of systolic pressure (greater than 151 mm Hg) identified 5% more men at risk of death from coronary heart disease than for the top diastolic quintile (greater than 95 mm Hg). The findings suggested that clinicians should pay more attention to systolic levels as a criterion for making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.     

贝那普利联合氨氯地平对高血压患者降压效果、血压变异性及心功能的影响

目的:探讨贝那普利联合氨氯地平对高血压患者降压效果、血压变异性(BPV)及心功能的影响。方法:选取2015年2月～2018年12月期间西安交通大学医学院附属三二〇一医院收治的131例高血压患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(n=65)和研究组(n=66),对照组患者给予氨氯地平治疗,研究组在对照组基础上联合贝那普利治疗。比较两组患者治疗后的降压效果、BPV以及心功能指标,记录两组患者治疗期间不良反应情况。结果:两组患者治疗4个月后收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)均下降,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗4个月后24 h收缩压变异性(24hSBPV)、白天收缩压变异性(dSBPV)、24h舒张压变异性(24hDBPV)、白天舒张压变异性(dDBPV)均下降,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05),而夜间收缩压变异性(nSBPV)、夜间舒张压变异性(nDBPV)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者治疗4个月后A峰速度、A/E峰值均下降,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗4个月后E峰速度、EF值均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。两组不良反应发生率比较无差异(P0.05)。结论:贝那普利联合氨氯地平治疗高血压患者的降压效果确切,可有效改善患者BPV及心功能,且安全性较好。     

The role of endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of hypertension in diabetic patients

The pathogenesis of renal hypertension has not yet been fully clarified. As the potential role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) has been postulated, their concentrations were determined in plasma and urine of diabetic patients. The study included 30 diabetic patients (both IDDM and NIDDM) with initial or advanced diabetic nephropathy (decreased endogenous creatinine clearance, proteinuria) and 20 healthy control subjects. The correlation with blood pressure and other renal function parameters was monitored and compared with the control group. Also, the effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEI) on ET-1 and NO patterns was monitored in correlation with arterial hypertension. In diabetic patients that did not receive ACEI therapy, the increase in plasma ET-1 was associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure elevation, whereas in those administered ACEI the increase in plasma ET-1 was associated with a systolic blood pressure decline. In addition, the increase in plasma NO was accompanied by a statistically significant decline of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in diabetic patients receiving ACEI.     

Treating hypertension in black compared with white non-insulin dependent diabetics: a double blind trial of verapamil and metoprolol.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--To compare responses of blood pressure to the calcium antagonist verapamil and the beta blocker metoprolol in black compared with white diabetics with hypertension and to monitor urinary albumin excretion in relation to fall in blood pressure. DESIGN--Double blind, placebo controlled, random order crossover trial with four week placebo run in period and two six week active phases separated by a two week placebo washout period. SETTING--Outpatient department of a general hospital in a multiethnic health department. Patients--Diabetic patients with hypertension. Four dropped out before randomisation; 25 black and 14 white patients completed the trial. INTERVENTIONS--Patients given slow release verapamil 120 mg or 240 mg twice daily with placebo or metoprolol 50 mg or 100 mg twice daily with placebo. Treatment for diabetes (diet alone or with oral hypoglycaemic drugs) remained unchanged. END POINT--Comparison of changes in blood pressure in the two groups taking both drugs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Metoprolol had little effect on blood pressure in black patients (mean fall 4.0 mm Hg systolic (95% confidence interval -2.5 to 10.4 mm Hg), 4.3 mm Hg diastolic (-0.8 to 9.5)) but more effect in white patients (mean falls 13.4 mm Hg (0.1 to 26.7) and 10.6 mm Hg (4.5 to 16.7) respectively). Verapamil was more effective in both groups, with mean falls of 8.8 mm Hg (2.4 to 15.0) and 8.1 mm Hg (5.0 to 11.2) in black patients and 19.1 mm Hg (5.4 to 32.9) and 11.4 mm Hg (0.9 to 22.0) in white patients. Heart fate fell significantly in black patients taking metoprolol, which suggested compliance with treatment. Metabolic variables were unaltered by either treatment. Plasma renin activity was low in both groups after metoprolol treatment, but change in blood pressure could not be predicted from baseline plasma renin activity. Urinary albumin:creatinine ratio was independently related to baseline blood pressure but not significantly changed by treatment. CONCLUSIONS--beta Blockers alone are not effective in treating hypertension in black diabetics. Verapamil is effective but less so than in white patients. As yet no ideal monotherapy exists for hypertension in black patients.     

硝苯地平与硫酸镁治疗妊娠高血压综合征的临床疗效及对患者血清肌 酐、HSP70 及尿微量白蛋白水平的影响

目的:探讨硝苯地平联合硫酸镁对妊娠高血压综合征患者血清肌酐、HSP70及尿微量白蛋白水平的影响。方法:选取近5年在我院接受治疗的妊娠高血压综合征患者60例,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组30例。对照组患者采用硫酸镁治疗,实验组患者采取硝苯地平联合硫酸镁治疗。观察并比较治疗前后两组患者血清肌酐(Scr)、血尿素氮(BUN)、血尿酸(UA)热休克蛋白70(HSP70)及24 h尿微量白蛋白水平以及收缩压及舒张压的变化。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者Scr、BUN、UA、HSP70及24 h尿微量白蛋白水平和收缩压及舒张压均显著降低(P0.05);与对照组相比,实验组患者上述指标均明显降低(P0.05)。结论:硝苯地平联合硫酸镁能够降低妊娠高血压综合征患者血压,保护患者肾功能。     

Community care compared with hospital outpatient care for hypertensive patients.

Three hundred and seventy-six patients with treated diastolic blood pressures of less than 105 mm Hg and no history of accelerated hypertension or renal failure were selected from among those attending the Hammersmith Hospital hypertension clinic. Their average lying treated blood pressure was 146 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic and average age 56 years; 18% were black, 6% Asian, and 76% white. The patients were mostly having multiple treatment, 90% receiving a diuretic, 35% methyldopa, 33% propranolol, 18% atenolol, 9% hydrallazine, and 7% bethanidine. They were randomly allocated to either two years of further hospital outpatient care or referred back to their general practitioners. During the two years 19 (10%) of the 187 patients followed up in hospital defaulted and three had their treatment discontinued. Twelve (6%) of the 189 followed up by their general practitioners defaulted from follow-up and nine had their treatment discontinued. At the end of the trial the average lying blood pressure was 148 mm Hg systolic and 88 mm Hg diastolic in the hospital group and 149 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic in the general practice group. The change in blood pressure was calculated for each individual and showed an average fall of 1.6 mm Hg in standing diastolic pressure in the hospital group and a rise of 1.4 mm Hg in the general practice group (p less than 0.05). The 90% confidence limits for a difference in standing diastolic pressure between the groups were 1 and 5 mm Hg with the pressure lower in the hospital group. General practice care was not quite as effective in controlling blood pressure as continued specialist supervision over two years in this selected group of treated outpatients with mild or moderate hypertension, but these results show that the discharge back to general practitioners of patients who are well controlled after hospital treatment is a sensible policy.     

Heterogeneity of genetic control of blood pressure in ethnically different populations.

We review the literature on statistical genetic analyses of blood pressure in samples from various ethnic backgrounds using different statistical methods and packages. We then provide the results of a complex segregation analysis performed on familial data on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 2 ethnically different populations, Chuvashans and Turkmenians. Two types of major gene models were tested in the segregation analysis: Model type 1 tests for a Mendelian mode of transmission and estimates genotype-specific averages regardless of age and sex effect, and model type 2 estimates age and sex effects on each of 3 genotypes within the putative major genotype. In both total samples, by both types of segregation analysis, familial aggregation of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was inconsistent with the Mendelian mode of inheritance. In the next step of analysis the pedigrees in both samples were sorted into 2 groups on the basis of 2 likelihoods as obtained under Mendelian and nontransmission models for each entire sample. This procedure resulted in the appearance of 2 subsamples (large and small) in each ethnic sample. The segregation analysis that was carried out then on the larger subsample provided consistent evidence to support the major gene effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 2 ethnic groups. Interestingly, model type 2 showed that in both ethnically different large subsamples, for each sex the genotype predisposing to a larger mean value of systolic (or diastolic) blood pressure also displayed the highest rate of blood pressure increase with age. We discuss in detail possible sources of heterogeneity in familial transmission of blood pressure observed in our 2 samples, and we suggest a method to improve the analysis of heterogeneity for trait inheritance.     

Blood pressure and five year survival in the very old

During 1977-8 we measured blood pressure in 561 old people (83% of those aged 85 or more living in Tampere) and analysed their five year survival according to their blood pressure group. The subjects were divided into six groups on the basis of their blood pressures (from <120 to >200 mm Hg systolic, from <70 to >110 diastolic). The greatest mortality was observed in those in the lowest systolic and lowest diastolic groups. Mortality was least in subjects with systolic pressures of 160 mm Hg or more and diastolic pressures of 90 mm Hg or more.The most essential finding in this series of the very old was an increased mortality in the lowest blood pressure groups.     

Auscultatory indirect measurement of blood pressure in dogs

An indirect method of measuring blood pressure (cuff plus stethoscope) was evaluated in 70 dogs weighing 15 to 30 kg (17.5 +/- 8.8 kg; mean +/- standard deviation). A cuff 12 cm wide was used. The measurements were most audible with the cuff on the upper foreleg of the dog and with the stethoscope placed in the medial epicondylar region just distal to the cuff. The cuff was inflated to greater than systolic pressure and allowed to deflate slowly. In 70 lightly sedated dogs, systolic blood pressures averaged 145 +/- 25 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation) and diastolic blood pressures averaged 84 +/- 14 mmHg. Indirect measurements were compared to direct measurements (femoral arterial catheter). Systolic pressures obtained by this direct method averaged 138 +/- 29 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation) and diastolic pressures averaged 84 +/- 17 mmHg. The correlation coefficient for systolic pressure was 0.96 and for diastolic pressure 0.97.