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Related Concept Videos

Oxygen Transport in the Blood01:27

Oxygen Transport in the Blood

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a crucial molecule in the human body, consisting of four polypeptide chains, each bound to an iron-containing heme group. This unique structure enables hemoglobin to bind to oxygen, with each molecule capable of combining with four molecules of oxygen, leading to rapid and reversible oxygen loading. When fully loaded with oxygen, it is called oxyhemoglobin, while hemoglobin that has released oxygen is called reduced hemoglobin or deoxyhemoglobin. As hemoglobin binds oxygen,...
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Gas Exchange and Transport01:20

Gas Exchange and Transport

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Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity01:24

Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity

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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Non-Invasive Monitoring of Microvascular Oxygenation and Reactive Hyperemia using Hybrid, Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Critical Care
14:28

Non-Invasive Monitoring of Microvascular Oxygenation and Reactive Hyperemia using Hybrid, Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Critical Care

Published on: May 10, 2024

How heel oxygenation changes under pressure.

Vivian K Wong1, Nancy A Stotts, Harriet W Hopf

  • 1School of Nursing, San Jose State University, San Jose, California 95192-0057, USA. Vivian.wong@sjsu.edu

Wound Repair and Regeneration : Official Publication of the Wound Healing Society [And] the European Tissue Repair Society
|November 22, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Heel pressure from bed surfaces significantly reduces skin oxygen in hip surgery patients. This decrease, even after pressure removal, may indicate a higher risk for pressure ulcers.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Non-Invasive Monitoring of Microvascular Oxygenation and Reactive Hyperemia using Hybrid, Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Critical Care
14:28

Non-Invasive Monitoring of Microvascular Oxygenation and Reactive Hyperemia using Hybrid, Near-Infrared Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Critical Care

Published on: May 10, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Clinical Nursing
  • Surgical Patient Care

Background:

  • Heel pressure ulcers are a concern for hip surgery patients.
  • The underlying mechanisms, particularly the impact of external pressure on tissue oxygenation, remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of bed surface pressure on heel skin oxygen tension in adults during the initial 3 days post-hip surgery.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, repeated-measures study involving 18 hip surgery patients.
  • Transcutaneous oxygen sensors measured heel skin oxygen tension under varying pressure conditions (suspended, loaded, unloaded) on room air and with oxygen challenge.
  • Measurements were taken on room air and with an oxygen challenge.

Main Results:

  • Both loading and unloading phases significantly reduced bilateral heel oxygen tension compared to preload.
  • This reduction occurred without the expected hyperemic response.
  • Oxygen tension did not return to baseline levels after pressure removal.

Conclusions:

  • Short periods of external pressure significantly decrease heel oxygen tension in hip surgery patients.
  • The lack of a hyperemic response and failure to return to baseline suggest a potential increased risk for heel pressure ulcers.
  • Further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms behind this sustained decrease in oxygenation.