Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Lower Limb Skin Perfusion

Abstract

Transcutaneous oxygen (tcPO₂) and carbon dioxide (tcPCO₂) measurements were used before, during, and after intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) to assess lower limb skin perfuson in 21 healthy adult volunteers and 23 elderly patients. The temperature of the sensors was set at 44 ° C during calibration and maintained throughout all tests. Resting tcPO₂ was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in patients than in controls. In all subjects tcPO₂ decreased and tcPCO₂ in creased during compression. Patients showed a highly significant increase (p < 0.001) in tcPCO₂ during and after the treatment. Results of this study indi cate that the symptomatic improvement, in peripheral vascular disease and wound healing following IPC, is not due to improved skin perfusion or enhance ment of oxygenation and CO₂ removal.

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