Using finger-toe pulse oximetry to assess arterial blood flow.
National guidelines (RCN, 1998; Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team, 1998; SIGN, 1998) suggest that an assessment of ankle brachial pressure index using Doppler ultrasound is necessary to assess arterial blood flow in patients with leg ulcers or healed ulcers. Robin Cooper describes a newer, more simple test of arterial blood flow using a pulse oximeter, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Cooper
Robin
R
North Hampshire Primary Care Trust, Basingstoke.
D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D001775:Blood Circulation; D005385:Fingers; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D009729:Nursing; D010092:Oximetry / Q000379:methods*; D014034:Toes