Developments in transcutaneous blood gas monitoring: a review

Transcutaneous measurements of oxygen (tcPO2) and carbon dioxide (tcPCO2) are useful in the intensive care unit because they provide continuous and non-invasive estimation of arterial blood gases. In patients with compromised peripheral blood flow the cutaneous values will reflect the haemodynamic changes as blood is shunted away. They have been increasingly used in a variety of clinical situations, such as assessment of skin flap viability, drug evaluation, prediction of wound healing and selection of amputation level in peripheral vascular disease. From a review of available literature it appears that transcutaneous monitors have found another application as indicator of local tissue perfusion.