title: [Our experience with the measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension for evaluation of blood circulation in peripheral arteries in patients with critical ischemic disease of lower limbs].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The measurement of transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcpO2) is a non-invasive method to quantify skin oxygenation at capillary level and their nutritive ability needed to heal the ischemic defect. TcpO2 pressure values below 30 mm Hg are specific for critical limb ischemia and predict complicated healing. The purpose of this study was to verify the cut-off pressure in patient unable to undergo vascular reconstruction, and to verify the possibility of using this method to evaluate the effectiveness of vascular reconstructive surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The group included 52 patients (35 men and 17 women). The mean age of patients in the group was 66.5 years (max. 85, min. 44).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our group of patients we confirmed that the TcpO2 values of successfully healed ischemic wounds were equal or greater than 30 mm Hg (mean TcpO2 value at the dorsum of the foot was 37.0 mm Hg ± 9.5 mm Hg), compared to the group of unsuccessfully healed patients whose values were lower (mean TcpO2 value at the dorsum of the foot was 9.0 mm Hg ± 5.3 mm Hg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TcpO2 is a suitable method in predicting the healing of ischemic defects and any possible need for surgical or endovascular revascularization. Thanks to its non-invasive nature and undemanding measurement, it surely helps to make better decisions in choosing the therapeutic procedure needed to heal the defect.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Žižlavský
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kubíček
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Staffa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011312:Pressure; D058017:Vascular Grafting; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen