DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INTRACUTANEOUS AND TRANSCUTANEOUS SKIN OXYGEN-TENSION IN CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

Data obtained from transcutaneously measured PO2 (tcPO(2)) were taken as an indication for a decreased oxygen supply to the skin in patients with chronic venous insufficiency III. Direct (invasive) measurements in LDS have not yet been performed. We therefore measured the intracu taneous PO2 (icPO(2)) in healthy skin and LDS (8 healthy volunteers an d 18 patients with CVI III) with needle probes (250 mu m tip diameter) . The icPO(2) values were compared with data of tcPO(2) (37 degrees C and 44 degrees C electrode temperature). In healthy skin the mean icPO (2) was about 50 mmHg and no steep PO2 gradients were found. In LDS (u lcer edge) mean PO2 values were lower than in healthy skin, however, n o hypoxia or anoxia was observed. At the same site most tcPO(2) (44 de grees C) values were between 0 and 5 mmHg. The mean icPO(2) values fro m ulcer edges of different patients ranged from 6 mmHg to 42 mmHg (mea n 22 mmHg). In LDS very different PO2 profiles were seen. There was no correlation between tcPO(2) and icPO(2) data. Our present results may suggest that skin damage in patients with CVI is not necessary associ ated with hypoxia.