The Role of Blood Perfusion and Tissue Oxygenation in the Postischemic Transcutaneous pO2 Response

Abstract

The transcutaneous pO₂ (TCpO₂) response following release of tourniquet cuff occlusion is expressed as oxygen reappearance time (ORT) and oxygen recovery index (ORI). In the present study the effects of blood perfusion and tissue oxygenation on ORT and ORI in healthy control subjects and two patient groups with peripheral arterial insufficiency were assessed.

In control subjects, ORT reflects diffusion time for O₂ molecules from capillaries to the TCpO₂ sensor. In patients with claudication, ORT was prolonged probably because of delayed postischemic reperfusion and reduced tissue oxygenation. In patients with critical ischemia, prolonged ORT seems to be attributed more to reduced tissue oxygenation than to delayed postischemic reperfusion.

ORI in control subjects and patients with claudication apparently depends more on capillary pO₂ than on magnitude and duration of the postischemic reperfusion. In patients with critical ischemia, ORI is more related to decreased O₂ delivery subsequent to reduced or absent reactive hyperemia response.

In addition, increased O₂ extraction ("O₂ steal") and extensive countercurrent O₂ exchange during low flow states may reduce ORT and ORI in severely ischemic skin.

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