Investigation of arterial claudication with transcutaneous oxygen pressure at exercise: Interests and limits

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcpO2) measurement has been used for years at rest in patients with lower extremity artery disease. It was proposed exercise testing (Ex-TcpO2) the 80ies to evaluate regional blood flow impairment (RBFI) proximal and distal levels simultaneously on both sides, case of claudication. suggested that use a chest electrode mandatory show decreases TcpO2 limb level result from RBFI not systemic pO2 decrease cardiopulmonary origin (exercise-induced hypoxemia). Unfortunately, major pitfall Ex-TcpO2 low absolute reliability perfusion index (RPI: ratio values) technique almost abandoned until 2003, when DROP (Decrease pressure: changes minus rest) proposed. The mathematical formula makes Tcpo2 results independent starting values, improving as compared RPI. Since then, renewed interest. present paper addresses physiology Ex-TcpO2, interpretation its results, common misunderstandings about use.