On the Relation Between Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension and Skin Blood Flow

Abstract

Transcutaneous oxygen tension (pTcO₂) varies with pAO₂. circulatory parameters, skin metabolism and oxygen diffusion. The necessity to heat the skin beneath the electrode to allow transcutaneous oxygen diffusion limits the use ofpTcO₂, in the study of skin blood flow. The oxygen measured probably emanates from the capillaries of the superficial dermis. A large number of arteriovenous shunts in the skin may modify the pTcO₂ response. The heat-dilated vessels beneath the electrode behave passively in most circumstances. Differences in local blood temperature with secondary shifts in the release of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin may affect p TcO₂ at high and low flow rates respectively. pTcO₂ may vary with the perfusion pressure and possibly also with the resistance of the blood vessels outside the area heated by the electrode, but only at low flow rates.