[Transcutaneous and intracutaneous pO2 measurements in the assessment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases].

The purpose of the study was to compare the results of intra- and transcutaneous pO2-measurements of patients suffering from an arterial occlusive disease of the lower extremities (Fontaine I-IV) with that of 20 healthy volunteers. The measurements were performed by one transcutaneous and two intracutaneous pO2-electrodes on the dorsum of the foot. As reference we used the ratio pf/pft of the venous occlusion plethysmography of the calf. Already at rest the transcutaneous pO2 allows a significant separation of healthy persons and patients of Fontaine II. After a 3-minute ischemic period the greatly changed time parameters 'delay-time', 'half-time of the pO2 increase' as well as the 'pO2 recovery time' permit a significant separation of Fontaine III from healthy persons and Fontaine II. The findings show that both methods complete one another. The value of a local pO2 measurement for an individual therapy control is emphasized.