Ultrasonic measurement of arterial blood pressure in conditioned thoroughbreds.

This research paper explores the use of Ultrasonic Doppler technology to measure systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure in Thoroughbred horses across various ages and genders at different race tracks.

Objective of Research

The primary goal of this research was to determine the effectiveness of an ultrasonic-Doppler device coupled with a sphygmomanometer cuff in indirectly measuring the systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure in Thoroughbred horses.

• The research was conducted on 456 Thoroughbred horses stabled at nine different racetracks.

Method of Research

A significant part of this research involved utilizing an ultrasonic-Doppler device in conjunction with a sphygmomanometer cuff. These instruments were used in the indirect measurement of both systolic and diastolic arterial pressures.

• The ultrasonic-Doppler device captures the velocity of blood flow and translates it into audible frequencies which allows for a non-invasive measurement of blood flow velocity.
• The sphygmomanometer cuff is a standard blood pressure measuring equipment that restricts blood flow and then slowly releases to measure blood pressure.

Findings of Research

The research found that the average arterial blood pressure for the thoroughbreds measured in different conditions – race tracks, different ages, and varying genders resulted in:

• An average systolic pressure of 111.8 +/- 13.3 mmHg. Systolic pressure represents the force or pressure that blood exerts on blood vessels during the heartbeat when the heart muscles are contracted.
• An average diastolic pressure of 69.6 +/- 13.8 mmHg. Diastolic pressure indicates the blood pressure when the heart is at rest in between beats. It helps in assessing the minimum level of pressure exerted on the vessels over time.