Peripheral perfusion after cardiac surgery.

Postoperative peripheral perfusion was studied in eight male patients undergoing coronary arterial bypass grafting. Transcutaneous PO2 (PtcO2), subcutaneous tissue PO2 (PscO2) and skin red cell flux (RCF) were recorded continuously in the upper extremity. In addition, peripheral and core temperatures, as well as central hemodynamic and some metabolic variables, were determined. The FIO2 was maintained at 0.3. Complete opening of peripheral circulation occurred within a mean of 7 h after transferring the patients to the ICU. As the fingertip temperature rose, the PtcO2 index, PscO2, and RCF underwent simultaneous increases, thereby reflecting reperfusion of the peripheral vascular bed.