Reproducibility of tcPO 2 measurements in normal volunteers

Abstract

The transcutaneous oxygen monitor was developed as a non-invasive method of measuring arterial oxygen tension in neonates and has since been applied to adults as a method of assessing circulatory impairment due to peripheral vascular disease. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurements (tcPO2) were taken daily on normal volunteers for a period of three weeks to determine the reproducibility of tcPO2 measurements. Results varied by an average of almost 10% from the mean for each individual. This variation was not clinically significant since the variation did not result in readings below 35-40 mmHg, this being the level which reflects severe skin ischaemia. The correlation between simultaneous chest and leg readings was not sufficient to recommend this ratio as an accurate index of vascular insufficiency.