Blood pressure, which is regulated by the cardiovascular system, is a widely used parameter in cardiovascular assessment. Atrial pressure is a measure blood pressure within the atria of the heart while ventricular pressure is a measure of blood pressure within the ventricles of the heart. Left ventricular pressure is used to derive max and min pressures, maximum rates of ventricular contraction (dP/dt max) and relaxation (dP/dt min), and end diastolic pressure along with many other parameters in determining cardiac function.
PowerLab data acquisition systems integrate with a variety of "fluid-filled" and high-fidelity pressure transducers for recording atrial and ventricular pressures. Transducers can be connected to the PowerLab unit via an appropriate bridge amplifier and in combination with the LabChart software offers advanced online and offline pressure analysis and calculations.
For researchers requiring accurate pressure waveforms (for dP/dt measurements), the Millar Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheters are recommended. These catheters feature a pressure transducer that is embedded at the tip of the catheter. Pressure changes are thereby measured directly at the source, eliminating any signal attenuation or movement artifacts. ADInstruments supply the entire range of Millar catheters for research and for
ANIMAL USE ONLY. The catheters may be purchased separately or as part of the ADInstruments Mikro-Tip Blood Pressure Foundation System.
Millar Mikro-Tip (pressure only) catheters connect to a Bridge Amplifier using a Catheter Interface Cable. The AEC-10C Catheter Interface Cable is used with Mikro-Tip catheters with Viking connectors or the AEC-10D Catheter Interface Cable for Mikro-Tip catheters with Low-Profile connectors.
Related areas of interest include:
LabChartLabChart software (for Windows and Macintosh) combines the familiar simplicity of a traditional strip chart recorder with the powerful analysis features of a digital acquisition system. LabChart software and a PowerLab data acquisition unit provide data integrity, easy selection of hardware settings, powerful online and offline analysis, procedure automation, seamless extraction of experimental data and flexible display options. Acquisition and analysis capabilities can be further increased with
LabChart Extensions and
LabChart Modules. LabChart Modules are available as part of
LabChart Pro and LabChart Extensions are free for download from the website for existing LabChart users.
Useful LabChart Extensions include:
- Ventricular Pressure LabChart extension (Mac only) - used to determine the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) from the pressure waveform
- Peak Parameters LabChart extension (Win or Mac) - used for deriving parameters from pulsatile pressure waveforms, including rise times, peak height and width
Blood Pressure Module (Windows)The
MLS370/6 Blood Pressure Module for Windows automatically detects, analyzes and reports cardiovascular parameters from arterial or ventricular pressure signals.
The settings dialog allows the user to select ventricular pressure for analysis and the Classifier View allows for easy selection of pressure waveforms for further analyses. Pressure cycles that are contaminated by artifact, have abnormal cycle heights or cycle durations (frequency) can be excluded from analysis using the classifier.
The Analysis View displays pressure cycles as beat-by-beat or as the average of a specified number of cycles. Ventricular parameters such as EDP, Max dP/dt, Min dP/dt, Min and Max Pressure are labeled. These measurements along with other calculated parameters are logged in the Table View for easy exporting.
Features and benefits include:
- Suitable for analysis of pressure signals from humans as well as large and small animals
- Pressure signals can be analyzed in real time during acquisition
- The BP Classifier makes detection and exclusion of atypical waveforms easy
- Parameters can be displayed as continuous data on separate channels
- Values are logged to the Table View
- Averages any number of pressure waveforms
Calculated arterial parameters include:
- Systolic, Diastolic and Mean Pressure
- Pulse Pressure
- Dichrotic Notch Pressure
- Ejection and Non-ejection duration
- Cycle Duration
- Heart Rate
Calculated ventricular parameters include:
- Maximum Pressure
- Maximum dP/dt
- Isovolumic Relaxation
- Minimum Pressure
- Minimum dP/dt
- Mean Pressure
- End Diastolic Pressure (EDP)
- Maximum-Minimum Pressure
- Contractility Index
GLP and 21 CFR Part 11For those researchers working within a laboratory requiring GLP and 21 CFR Part 11 compliance the
GLP Client and GLP Server are available for use with LabChart (Windows only) and PowerLab data acquisition systems. For more information, visit the
Good Laboratory Practice application page or contact your nearest ADInstruments representative.
Intravascular Blood Pressure Measurements in AnimalsMikro-Tip Blood Pressure SystemML870B35 Mikro-Tip BP Foundation System is a system for measuring blood or cardiac pressure in small animals (i.e. mouse) through to large animals (i.e. sheep) using Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheters.
Mikro-Tip Pressure CathetersADInstruments offers the full line of Millar Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheters ranging from 0.8F (for small animals) through to 7F (for large animals). These catheters are for use ONLY in animal research. Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheters may be interfaced to the PowerLab through ADInstruments Bridge Amplifiers (using either an
AEC-10C (Viking) or
AEC-10D (Low-profile) Catheter Interface Cable) or Millar Pressure Control Units. These include:
Mikro-Tip Implantable Pressure CathetersFor chronic studies, ADInstruments offers Millar Mikro-Tip Implantable Pressure Catheters ranging in size from 1.4 (for use with mice) through to 3.5F (for use in rabbits). The implantable Millar Mikro-Tip pressure sensor catheters provide the researcher with the ability to conduct studies which go beyond acute experimentation. Implantable pressure catheters require either an
AEC-10C (Viking) or
AEC-10D (Low-profile) Catheter Interface Cable for connection to any ADInstruments Bridge Amplifier.
Fluid-Filled TransducersIntravascular blood pressure may be recorded using fluid-filled catheters (typically made from polyethylene tubing) attached to any of the following transducers:
Bridge AmplifiersMikro-Tip Pressure Catheters and fluid filled blood pressure transducers can connect to PowerLab data acquisition systems via our software-controlled bridge amplifiers including:
Bridge Amplifier Catheter Interface Cables Pressure Control UnitsMillar Mikro Tip Pressure Catheters may also be interfaced to the PowerLab through Millar Pressure Control Units, including:
- TC-510 Pressure Control Unit: This is a passive interface between a Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter and a strain gauge amplifier and therefore requires a Bridge Amp such as the ML221. The unit is supplied with a Monitor Cable to connect to any ADInstruments bridge amplifier. Catheter Interface Cables are required for connecting Millar pressure catheters. For pressure catheters with Viking connectors the TEC-10C is required, for Low-profile catheters the TEC-10D.
- PCU-2000 Pressure Signal Conditioner: This is a two channel amplifier/interface unit for connecting one or two Millar Mikro-Tip catheters. The unit analog output signal level of 1V/100 mmHg is compatible with any PowerLab data acquisition system. To connect each of the pressure outputs to the PowerLab inputs, two MLAC12 BNC to Audio plug (6.5 mm (1/4"), 2m) need to be purchased separately. Millar pressure catheters require a PEC-10C (Viking connector) or PEC-10D (low-profile connector) Interface Cable for use with the PCU-2000.
Pressure Control Unit Catheter Interface Cables Intravascular Blood Pressure Measurements in Humans - ML117 BP (Blood Pressure) Amp: Suitable for use with the MLT0670 Disposable BP Transducer. The ML117 BP Amp is an electrically isolated unit that is approved for invasive pressure recordings in humans when used with a suitable sterile transducer.
- The MLT0670 Disposable BP Transducer (stopcock) may be used with the BP Amp and the MLAC05 Adapter Cable for invasive pressure recordings in humans provided that the transducer has been gas sterilized prior to use. Note: The MLT0670 is supplied in sterile packaging, however ADInstruments does not guarantee the integrity of the packaging or sterility. The MLT0670 will need to be gas sterilized prior to use with human subjects.
CalibrationThe
MLA1052 Pressure Gauge is used to calibrate both conventional fluid-filled pressure transducers and Millar Mikro-Tip pressure catheters.
Accessories