Use of Transcutaneous Oxygen Tension Before, During, and After Arterial Reconstructive Surgery

The diagnostic and predictive value of transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO 2 ) measurements in patients undergoing lower extremity arterial recon structive surgery were evaluated. Foot tcPO 2 was measured preoperatively in 114 patients, intraoperatively in 59 patients, and again seven days after surgery in 82 patients. Preoperative tcPO 2 values less than 30 mmHg were indicative of severe limb ischemia in 90% of patients with rest pain, impending gangrene, or ischemic ulcer. Fifteen minutes after revascularization, tcPO 2 greater than 30 mmHg was predictive of a "good" result (determined clinically at one month) in 94% of patients, whereas values less than 30 mmHg predicted a "poor" result in 70% of patients. Measurements obtained seven days postoperatively exhibited an improved negative predictive tcPO 2 value (85%) as compared with those ob tained intraoperatively. TCPO 2 changes induced by oxygen inhalation were the most p