Pulmonary arterial pressure testing for high mountain disease in cattle.

High mountain or brisket disease is an economically costly disease of cattle raised at elevations greater than 1500 m (5000 ft). It appears that no one breed is resistant to the effects of high-altitude hypoxia. Some breeds, and pedigrees within breeds, appear to be more naturally resistant to the effects of high altitude. Multiple factors contribute to the variance in pulmonary arterial pressure in cattle, including breed, gender, body condition, concurrent illness, environmental conditions, elevation, and genetics. Pulmonary arterial pressure testing is an effective diagnostic and management tool used to identify clinically affected and high-risk animals. The procedure can be performed in the field and is an economically valuable method for the selection and breeding management of beef cattle raised at high altitude.