Evaluation of a single transcutaneous Po2-Pco2 sensor in adult patients

Authors:
  • CMC. Kees Mahutte
    C. Kees Mahutte
  • TMThierry M. Michiels
    Thierry M. Michiels
  • KHKathleen T. Hassell
    Kathleen T. Hassell
  • DTDavid M. Trueblood
    David M. Trueblood
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Abstract
We evaluated a new transcutaneous gas monitor designed to measure simultaneously transcutaneous oxygen (PtcCO2) and carbon dioxide (PtcCO2) tensions. A total of 514 simultaneous transcutaneous and arterial gases were obtained in 47 adult ICU patients. Mean PtcCO2 was close (see < 4 torr) to mean Paco2, but mean Ptc CO 2 was considerably less than mean Pao 2. However, PtcCO2 changes larger than 15 torr virtually always indicated respective increases or decreases in Pao2. Similarly, P tcCO2 changes larger than 5 torr almost invariably indicated a parallel change in Paco2. From this study we conclude that monitoring of transcutaneous gases yields reliable trend information on arterial gases and that it is a valuable noninvasive adjunct in the monitoring of gas exchange in adult patients.