ASSESSMENT OF DYNAMIC TRANSCUTANEOUS OXYG EN-TENSION MEASUREMENT IN 1M PATIENTS WITH STAGE-II OCCLUSIVE ARTERIAL-DISEASE

We evaluated the value of dynamic transcutaneous oxygen pressure measu rement (TcP02)) in 17 patients with stage II occlusive arterial diseas e of the lower limbs treated with exercice only. We studied 17 patient s (15 men, two women) with an average age of 63 years (range 39-80 yea rs). Claudication perimeter and dynamic TcP02 were evaluated before an d after 6 month walking exercise and tabac stopping. Four differents s ites of TcP02 were studied: precordium (reference probe), thigh, calf and foot in the dorsal recumbent position after 30 minutes rest, durin g a standardised exercise stress test at 50 watts and during the recov ery phase. The results were expressed as ratio of tissue oxygenation ( RTO) : thigh. calf or foot TcPO2/precordial TcPO2 x 100 in order to ta ke into account the patients cardiorespiratory status and adaptation t o exercise. Claudication perimeter was 255 m +/- 221 before 6 months e xercise and 835 m +/- 539 after (P < 0.01). The duration of significat ive ischemia was significantly reduced after 6 months exercise (P = 0. 02 calf, P < 0.01 foot). Dynamic transcutaneous oxymetry would therefo re seem to be a useful method of assessing stage II occlusive peripher al arterial disease and the topography of tissue hypoxia. It could be valuable in orientating treatment and the first method to provide an o bjective;e evaluation of the efficacy of medical or surgical treatment .