Transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements during graded hemorrhage and reinfusion

Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension (PtCO2) has been suggested as a useful monitoring tool in the hypovolemic patient. Our study was undertaken to evaluate changes in PtCO2 that occur during graded hemorrhage and reinfusion, and to compare PtCO2 values to standard cardiorespiratory and biochemical parameters during hypovolemia. Seven mongrel dogs were bled 50% of their estimated blood volume (44 mL/kg) over one hour. This was followed by a one-hour monitoring period, a 30-minute reinfusion period, and an additional one-hour monitoring period. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mixed venous oxygen tension (MvO2), arterial blood gases, and PtCO2 were measured serially throughout the study period. Cardiac index (CI), peripheral vascular resistance (PVR), O2 consumption, delivery, and percentage of extraction were calculated for each sampling period. A statistically significant fall in CI, MvO2 and PCWP occurred following the first 10% of blood loss; PtCO2 and MAP fell significantly after 20% hemorrhage; CVP fell after 30% hemorrhage. PtCO2 rose significantly after the first 10% of reinfusion, and it continued to rise during the entire reinfusion period, as did MvO2, CO, MAP, CVP, and PCWP. In contrast to the other measured variables, the elevations in PtCO2, and MvO2 were more pronounced early in the reinfusion period. During postreinfusion monitoring, PtCO2, MvO2, CO, and PCWP fell significantly despite maintenance of prehemorrhage MAP and CVP. Overall PtCO2 correlated well with MvO2 and the O2 extraction ratio, and to a lesser extent with CI, MAP, and O2 delivery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)