Selection of sexed bovine embryos using rapid fluorescence in situ hybridisation

monary arterial pressure is measured invasively by catheterisation for a definitive diagnosis and to evaluate the acute response to vasoactive drugs, particularly the calcium channel blocker nifedipine. Vasoactive drugs are prescribed if an acute effect can be demonstrated while the patient is catheterised. The doses of nifedipine needed to reduce the pulmonary arterial pressure significantly are very high, higher than to treat systemic hypertension, and side effects, particularly systemic hypotension, are common. The dog could not be catheterised to evaluate the effect of vasoactive drugs, and it was given the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine as a therapeutic trial. Because of its low systemic arterial blood pressure, a small dose was given initially that was not expected to have much effect on the pulmonary hypertension, with the intention to increase the dose gradually. However, the drug had to be withdrawn owing to its adverse effects which were suspected to be due to systemic hypotension. Alternative treatments with either iloprost or bosentan were considered, but either of them would have cost about £4000 per month, a prohibitive expense.