User manual

11
5. Select an animal cuff with a width approximately equal to the width of the
limb and up to two times the width of the forearm measured at the mid-radial
region. Vmed blood pressure cuffs have a handy reference gauge to assist with
proper cuff selection. Place the artery reference arrow printed on the cuff over
the in-tended artery. Wrap the cuff around the limb. The reference arrow
should fall within the circumference range marked on the cuff. The cuff should
be place with the line and arrow over the intended artery.
6. Apply ball of gel to the cup of the sensor. (NOTE: Do this with the power off
since loud noise is generated when gel is applied.)
7. Place the sensor over the artery and either hold it in place with thumb and
forefinger or strap to the limb using a Velcro strap or surgical tape for surgical
monitoring.
8. Turn on the unit once more and move the sensor slightly to acquire the blood
flow signal. Apply enough pressure to hold the signal but not so much as to
occlude the artery.
9. Squeeze the bulb on the sphygmomanometer until the reading is
approximately 20-30 mm Hg over the pressure where blood flow stops. Slowly
deflate the cuff by turning the thumb wheel on the valve and mark the systolic
pressure on the gauge when blood flow sounds resume. The first signal will be
a shorter and choppier sound than the swishing sound heard before inflation.
10. Detection of diastolic pressure is possible on some animals by carefully
listening to the signal quality as the cuff continues to deflate toward zero
pressure. You will hear a weak "swishing" sound at this point that corresponds
to a very small back flow of blood corresponding to the diastolic pressure. You
may also detect a slight oscillation of the needle at this point confirming the
audio signal. (NOTE: Reproducible readings are not always possible.)
11. Take five measurements, discard the high and low readings and average the
remaining three.