Telemetry of blood pressure in free-ranging animals via an intravascular gauge.

Abstract

A small biological pressure transducer has been developed for chronic implantation into the lumen of major vessels or cardiac chambers in experimental animals. Gauges have functioned continuously for over a year when implanted into the aorta or left ventricle of dogs and baboons. The device had been used for telemetry of blood pressure from free-ranging baboons and giraffes in their habitat in East Africa, and to study blood pressure responses of laboratory dogs and baboons during exercise.