Transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPo₂) measurements on the foot in normal subjects and in patients with peripheral arterial disease admitted for vascular surgery

Abstract

The transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPo₂) was measured with commercially available equipment on the chest and on the foot in ten normal subjects and in 24 patients admitted for vascular surgery. The ratio between the tcPo₂ value on the foot and on the chest was calculated. The tcPo, ratio was significantly reduced in feet with ischaemic rest symptoms. The ratio was significantly correlated to the systolic ankle and first toe blood pressure in the patients. tcPo₂ of the foot increased in nine of ten successful arterial reconstructions and it decreased or was unchanged in three unsuccessful reconstructions. tcPo₂ of the foot was continuously monitored during nine arterial reconstructions. tcPo, of the foot responded rapidly to clamping and declamping of the arteries. Six limbs were monitored during the first 24 postoperative hours, and tcPo₂ was found to be a reliable indicator of the patency of the reconstructions. tcPo₂ measurement offers a possibility of continuous pre- and postoperative monitoring of arterial reconstructions at high-risk of reocclusion.

Key Words:

• arterial obliterative disease
• arteriosclerosis
• blood gas analysis
• blood pressure
• blood pressure determination
• oxygen
• skin
• transcutaneous oxygen electrode
• vascular surgery