Comparison of femoral and auricular arterial blood pressure monitoring in pigs

Objective To compare arterial blood pressure measurements obtained from the femoral and auricular arteries in anaesthetized pigs. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Fifteen female Large White pigs were used weighing 21.3 +/- 2.3 kg. Methods The pigs were anaesthetized with tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine administered intramuscularly, and anaesthesia maintained with isoflurane delivered in oxygen/nitrogen. Arterial oxygen partial pressures were maintained between 11.3 and 13.3 kPa and PaCO(2) between 4.6 and 6.0 kPa. Monitoring included electrocardiogram, capnography and invasive blood pressure. The auricular and femoral arteries were catheterized for continuous systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) measurements. Measurements were recorded every 15 minutes. Statistical analysis involved a Bland-Altman plot analysis. Results The mean difference +/- confidence intervals between the femoral and the auricular arterial diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure measurements during hypotension were 2 +/- 7, 2 +/- 5 and 2 +/- 5 mmHg respectively. In conditions of normotension mean difference +/- confidence intervals, of femoral and auricular arterial blood pressure measurements of diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure were 4 +/- 5, 3 +/- 7 and 4 +/- 4 mmHg respectively. In conditions of increased arterial blood pressure, mean difference +/- confidence intervals, of femoral and auricular arterial blood pressure measurements of diastolic, systolic and mean blood pressure were 4 +/- 5, 3 +/- 8 and 4 +/- 4 mmHg respectively. Conclusion Auricular artery catheterization is easier and quicker to perform. Pressure measurements from the auricular artery compared well with the femoral artery. Clinical relevance We found that auricular arterial blood pressures were similar to femoral arterial values under the conditions of this experiment. We did not test extremes of blood pressure or significant alterations in body temperature.