Postischemic Calf Volume and Muscle Oxygen Tension in Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Abstract

Postischemic calf volume and oxygen tension were recorded in normal and arteriosclerotic legs by means of a mercury strain gauge and oxygen polarography with platinum electrodes. There was a linear relationship between time from deflation of the pneumatic tourniquet to peak volume (peak volume time = PVT) and 75 per cent of pre-occlusion oxygen tension level being regained (oxygen tension recovery time = RT). PVT appeared to give a better distinction than RT between normal and diseased limbs.

The series are too small to be conclusive in this respect. Both methods gave the best distinction in cases with combined aorto-iliac and femoral artery occlusions, or isolated femoral occlusions, whereas isolated aorto-iliac occlusions gave small deviations from normal values by both methods.

Start of postischemic oxygen tension recovery was often delayed. This delay, however, has no advantage as an indicator of limb circulation.

Key Words:

• Arteriosclerosis
• hyperemia
• intermittent claudication
• plethysmography
• polarography