PULSE OXIMETRY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF NONCRITICAL PERIPHERAL VASCULAR INSUFFICIENCY

Pulse oximetry was used to detect return of pulsatile flow in 27 subje cts during reactive hyperaemia following 3 min of total limb ischaemia induced by above knee tourniquet occlusion. Fourteen patients with ex ercise induced leg pain had 18 symptomatic limbs tested. Thirteen cont rols had 25 limbs tested. Return of pulsatile flow during reactive hyp eraemia occurred within 20 s of tourniquet release in the 25 control l imbs which was then regarded as normal. The mean time for return of pu lsatile now in 18 symptomatic limbs was 53+/-37 s (P < 0.05 versus con trols). Three limbs had a normal value, two of which did not have peri pheral vascular disease. Pulse oximetry correctly identified all 25 as ymptomatic limbs and 15 of 16 patients with claudication secondary to peripheral vascular disease (PVD). This modification of the reactive h yperaemia test using the pulse oximeter is simple and quick to perform . It has potential as a non-invasive screening test for PVD, suitable for outpatient assessment.