Systemic Hypertension Flashcards
What 2 things determine systemic blood pressure?
Cardiac output & systemic vascular resistance
*Remember BP = CO x SVR
Describe how the SNS regulates systemic blood pressure.
The SNS is activated when baroreceptors in blood vessels & the heart sense a decrease in blood pressure
-> Catecholamines (norepinephrine & epinephrine) are released
-> CO & SVR are increased
Systemic blood pressure is regulated by what 2 things?
- Sympathetic nervous system
- RAAS
Describe how RAAS regulates blood pressure
Decreased renal perfusion causes release of renin from kidneys -> converts angiotensinogen (produced by liver) to angiotensin I
-> ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II
-> Angiotensin II causes contraction of smooth m. in vasculature -> inc. SVR
-> Angiotensin II also causes release of aldosterone from adrenals -> stimulates reabsorption of Na & H2O to inc. blood volume -> inc. CO
Angiotensin II also causes excretion of K+
Define systemic hypertension
Persistent elevation of systemic blood pressure (systolic > 160mmHg)
What 2 things determine cardiac ouput?
Heart rate & stroke volume
*Remember CO = HR x SV
What are the 2 general causes of systemic hypertension in dogs & cats?
- Primary idiopathic
- Secondary to other conditions that increase CO +/- SVR
Of direct and indirect methods to measure blood pressure, which is the gold standard & which is most practical?
Indirect = most practical
Direct = gold standard
Which method of measuring blood pressure is preferred in cats and small dogs?
Doppler
What are the 2 indirect methods used to measure blood pressure in dogs & cats?
Doppler & Oscillometric
Describe how doppler method works to measure systemic blood pressure
Arterial blood flow is occluded by inflating a cuff & then deflating it until the flow goes back to normal.
How do you know what size cuff to use when measuring blood pressure in dogs and cats?
Cuff width should be 30-40% of the circumference of the chosen site (limb or tail)
If the cuff you have chosen is too big, it could falsely increase/decrease (choose one) blood pressure.
Decrease
If the cuff you have chosen is too small, it could falsely increase/decrease (choose one) blood pressure.
Increase
Why should you gently restrain the dog/cat in lateral or ventral recumbency when measuring blood pressure?
To limit vertical distance from the heart base to the cuff
What are the 4 potential locations you may use to obtain an indirect blood pressure in dogs & cats?
- Underside of carpus
- Underside of metatarsus
- On top of the medial aspect of the metatarsus between the long bones of digits 2 & 3 on top of the back of the foot
- Underside base of tail (cats)
What are 4 possible areas of target organ damage from systemic hypertension?
- Eyes (retinopathy, blindness)
- Kidneys (proteinuria, progression of CKD)
- Brain (encephalopathy, stroke)
- Heart/blood vessels (left ventricular hypertrophy, arrhythmias, CHF, etc.)
What systemic blood pressure range is considered to be normotensive & has minimal TOD risk?
< 140mmHg
What systemic blood pressure range is considered to be hypertensive & has moderate TOD risk?
160-170mmHg