Characteristics of transcutaneous oxygen tension monitors in normal adults and critically ill patients.

The performance characteristics of two transcutaneous PO2 monitors were detailed in eleven healthy adults and eighteen critically ill patients (twelve following cardiopulmonary bypass). There was no significant difference in their performance when blood was used as the calibrating medium. In critically ill patients they proved to be of value for recording short term trends in arterial PO2 rather than for measuring absolute values.