The Use of Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension Measurements in the Diagnosis of Peripherial Vascular Insufficiency

Abstract

Transcutaneous tissue oxygen tension (PtcO2) was evaluated as a noninvasive diagnostic test for peripheral arterial insufficiency; PtcO2 was measured at rest, during exercise, and following exercise at 3 leg sites in 36 controls and 138 patients with exercise-induced leg pain. Resting foot PtcO2 differed significantly in controls and in patients with rest pain (32/138) and was 60.1 .+-. 6.82 mm Hg, respectively (P < 0.001). Abnormal resting PtcO2 values occurred in 80% of claudicants (82/138) and 20% had normal values. All vascular claudicants exhibited a decline in PtcO2 following exercise, a finding that distinguished them from controls (P < 0.001). The PtcO2 values in 21 patients who were subsequently shown not to have vascular disease did not differ significantly from controls (P > 0.5). Comparison with angiograms (48) showed that PtcO2 following exercise had a 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting the presence of arterial disease. If resting values alone are considered, sensitivity falls to 77%. Measurement of PtcO2 at rest and particularly after exercise is a simple and sensitive noninvasive diagnostic test for peripheral arterial insufficiency. This test will serve to distinguish between vascular and other causes of exercise-induced leg pain.