Certain study requirements may involve smaller or juvenile rats, which will facilitate the need to use a mouse sized device. The device can be used to collect systemic blood pressure via the abdominal aorta or femoral artery with minor modifications to the surgical procedures listed in this manual. Please refer to the sections titled Abdominal Aorta Cannulation with Intraperitoneal Cavity Device Placement or Femoral Artery Cannulation with Subcutaneous Device Placement for the procedure and review the poster titled A Comparison Of Two Surgical Methods For Chronic Measurement Of Blood Pressure In Juvenile Rats Through Adulthood within DSI’s Bibliography for appropriate surgical modifications. A copy of this poster can found in the attachment below.

It is important to note that a 7 cm catheter should be requested on the device when ordering and a suture rib is needed if the device will be placed in the abdominal cavity. This device is NOT recommended to collect left or right ventricular pressure.

Due to rats typically being housed in larger cages, there is a risk of experiencing signal drop out, especially when the animal stands up on its hind legs. These mouse sized devices also have a shorter battery life than rat sized devices. Placing the catheter in the aorta of a rat and gluing it in place may render it unusable to utilize in subsequent mouse studies due to glue residue on the catheter.