Atrial & Ventricular Pressure
Overview:
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.
Method:
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:
- Langendorff Heart and Working Heart pages - monitoring pressures in the isolated perfused heart
- Ventricular Pressure-Volume page - monitoring ventricular function with the Millar Mikro-Tip Pressure-Volume System
- Radnoti Isolated Perfused Heart (255 KB) technique Note
- Intraventricular Pressure Measurement in a Langendorff Preparation (92 KB) technique note
Software:
LabChart
LabChart 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 MLS370/7 Blood Pressure Module for Windows automatically detects, analyzes and reports cardiovascular parameters from arterial or ventricular pressure signals.

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.
Hardware:
Intravascular Blood Pressure Measurements in Animals
Mikro-Tip Blood Pressure System
ML870B35 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 Catheters
ADInstruments 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:
- SPR-835 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (0.8F Nylon) - Animal use only
- SPR-1000 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (1F Polyimide) - Animal use only
- SPR-612 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (1.1F Nylon) - Animal use only
- SPR-671 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (1.1F nylon) - Animal use only
- SPR-407 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (1.5F Nylon) - Animal use only
- SPR-320 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (2F Polyurethane) - Animal use only
- SPR-249 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (2.2F Nylon) - Animal use only
- SPR-882 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (2.2F) - Animal use only
- SPR-524 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (2.3F Nylon - non repairable)
- SPR-721 Mikro-Tip Dual Pressure Catheter (2.5F Polyurethane) - Animal use
- SPR-330 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (3F Polyimide Nylon) - Animal use
- SPR-340 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (4F Polyurethane/Woven Dacron)
- SPR-350 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (5F Polyurethane/Woven Dacron)
- MPR-500 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (5F Polyurethane) – Animal use only
- SPR-360 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (6F Polyurethane/Woven Dacron)
- SPR-370 Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheter (7F Polyurethane/Woven Dacron)
Mikro-Tip Implantable Pressure Catheters
For 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.
- SPR-407I Pressure Catheter (2F, Nylon) - Implantable Length 28 cm
- SPR-407I-2 Pressure Catheter (2F, Nylon) - Implantable Length 13 cm
- SPR-524I Pressure Catheter (3.5F, Nylon) - Implantable Length 10 cm
- SPR-524I-2 Pressure Catheter (3.5F, Nylon) - Implantable Length 25 cm
- SPR-671I Pressure Catheter (1.4F, Nylon) - Implantable Length 15 cm
- SPR-671I-2 Pressure Catheter (1.4F, Nylon) - Implantable Length 7.5 cm
Fluid-Filled Transducers
Intravascular blood pressure may be recorded using fluid-filled catheters (typically made from polyethylene tubing) attached to any of the following transducers:
- MLT844 Physiological Pressure Transducer: Recommended for most animal studies. Suitable for pressures ranging from -20 to +300 mmHg and includes disposable clip-on domes and a 4 pin to 8 pin DIN cable to connect to any ADInstruments Bridge Amplifier.
- MLT0699 Disposable BP Transducer (no stopcock): A disposable transducer suitable for pressures ranging from -50 to +300 mmHg. Requires MLAC06 Adapter Cable for connection to any ADInstruments Bridge Amplifier. Suitable for ANIMAL USE ONLY.
- MLT0670 Disposable BP Transducer (stopcock): A disposable transducer suitable for pressures ranging from -50 to +300 mmHg. This transducer connects to the BP Amp using an MLAC05 Adapter Cable and to the Bridge Amps using the MLAC06 Adapter Cable. The MLT0670 may be used in humans (single use only) or animals.
- MLT1199 BP Transducer/Cable Kit: This kit includes a MLT0699 Disposable BP Transducer and a MLAC06 Adapter Cable for connection to any ADInstruments Bridge Amps. The individual components may be ordered separately. The MLT0699 Disposable Blood Pressure Transducer is designed for measuring arterial and venous blood pressure. For animal use only.
- MLT0380/D Reusable BP Transducer (large animal): A reusable blood pressure transducer that uses an extravascular sensor system to measure blood pressure. It has an operating range of -80 to +380 mmHg and is suitable for measurements of arterial and venous blood pressure in large animals and may be connected directly to any ADInstruments Bridge Amplifier. For animal use only.
Bridge Amplifiers
Mikro-Tip Pressure Catheters and fluid filled blood pressure transducers can connect to PowerLab data acquisition systems via our software-controlled bridge amplifiers including:
- ML221 Bridge Amp: Amplifier for connection of a single transducer
- ML224 Quad Bridge Amp: Connects up to 4 transducers
- ML228 Octal Bridge Amp: Connects up to 8 transducers
Bridge Amplifier Catheter Interface Cables
Pressure Control Units
Millar 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
- TEC-5C Catheter Interface Cable (5 ft) - Viking to Viking
- TEC-10C Catheter Interface Cable (10 ft) - Viking to Viking
- TEC-10D Catheter Interface Cable (10 ft) - Low-profile to Viking
- PEC-1.5C Catheter Interface Cable - Viking connector (1.5 ft)
- PEC-10C Catheter Interface Cable - Viking connector (10 ft)
- PEC-10D Catheter Interface Cable - Low-profile connector (10 ft)
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.
Calibration
The MLA1052 Pressure Gauge is used to calibrate both conventional fluid-filled pressure transducers and Millar Mikro-Tip pressure catheters.
Accessories
- SP0135 Snap holder for MLT844
- SP0109 Tubing – PE catheter (0.5mm ID, 0.9mm OD)
- SP0114 Replacement Domes for MLT0380 (5 Pack)
- MLA844 Disposable Clip-on BP Domes (10 pack)
- SP0127 Touhy Borst Replacement Kit
Contrasting Inotropic Effects of Endogenous Endothelin in the Normal and Failing Human Heart : Studies With an Intracoronary ETA Receptor Antagonist
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Accelerated LV remodeling after myocardial infarction in TIMP-1-deficient mice: effects of exogenous MMP inhibition
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The material on this page is provided in good faith and believed accurate at the time of writing. No responsibility will be taken, or liability accepted, for damages arising from the use of information herein. Readers are urged to check with respective manufacturers the accuracy of all product related information.

