Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension: Principles and Applications

Abstract

Transcutaneous tissue oxygen tension (tcpO2) is a noninvasive diagnostic test for peripheral arterial insufficiency and other conditions in which the O2 level at the skin will provide indirect knowledge regarding skin perfusion. TcpO2 is also a dynamic diagnostic tool that can be measured at rest, during exercise, and following exercise to compare the response to an O2 challenge or to revascularization, which can add significant insight into the treatment protocol for these patients. This chapter will mainly focus on the principles and utilization of tcpO2 to assess wound healing potential, screen for vascular disease, assess the success of revascularization, predict the amputation level, and the benefit of hyperbaric oxygen. Although, it carries many limitations, tcpO2 is a simple and sensitive noninvasive diagnostic test for peripheral arterial insufficiency that can serve to distinguish between vascular and other causes of exercise-induced leg pain.