Continuous conjunctival and transcutaneous oxygen tension monitoring during resuscitation in a patient.

Conjunctival (PcjO2) and transcutaneous (PtcO2) oxygen tensions were serially measured in a patient with multiple stab wounds. Even though blood pressure was normal, severe hypovolemia due to hemorrhage was detected in the emergency department by abnormally low PcjO2/PaO2 and PtcO2/PaO2 ratios. The adequacy of resuscitation was established by return of these ratios to normal values. The conjunctival sensor stabilized more rapidly than the transcutaneous sensor and is of greater utility in the emergency setting. It was found that conjunctival and transcutaneous oxygen sensors can play an important role in monitoring clinical state and resuscitation of trauma patients.