Abstract: Background: Doppler ultrasonic sphygmomanometry (Doppler) blood pressure measurement is commonly used to measure systolic blood pressure (SBP) in cats. It has been suggested that applying tape to hold the blood pressure cuff closed may affect Doppler results, however this claim has not been directly investigated.
Objectives: To determine if applying circumferential white tape to a blood pressure cuff affects the Doppler SBP measurements in cats.
Animals: Client owned cats having SBP measured as part of their internal medicine evaluation.
Methods: Prospective crossover study with randomized order of SBP measurement methodology. Five serial SBP measurements were obtained with the first method (tape or untaped) and averaged according to ACVIM consensus guidelines. This was repeated with the alternate method. Average SBP was compared with a paired Student’s t-test.
Results: 35 cats were enrolled. There was no significant difference when SBP was measured untaped (mean 132.7 ±29.33 mmHg) or with tape (mean 135.9 ±29.17 mmHg) [p=0.0873]. There was no difference in the standard deviation for each method (4.55 mmHg vs. 5.09 mmHg) [p=0.41]. There was no significant difference between the first (mean 133.9 ±29.29 mmHg) or second method of SBP measurement (mean 134.7 ±29.3 mmHg) [p=0.691]. The median difference between SBP measured with tape vs. untaped was +3.2mmHg (range -21.6 – 31.6 mmHg).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Applying white tape to the cuff does not significantly alter Doppler SBP measurement in cats. Some cats had different results between the two methods; changing to the opposite method may be indicated when unexpected results occur.
