Our ability to assess the oxygenation status in critical care with a high degree of accuracy has improved as a result of recent developments in optical technology. The determination of the oxygenation status, however, remains a complex issue due to its multifaceted nature. This review discusses the definitions,...

The possibility of continuously monitoring arterial blood oxygen and carbon dioxide using heated surface electrodes on human skin was discovered in the early 1970s and made commercially available by 1976.  These devices were applied initially to premature infants in an effort to reduce the incidence of blindness due...

The use of transcutaneous equipment is an essential element in the daily monitoring of neonates. To ensure reliable results and as little discomfort to neonates as possible, new staff members must be trained thoroughly. Nurse Åse Hansen, from the Copenhagen County Hosital, runs through the basic elements of staff...

Assessment of tcpO₂ before and during hyperbaric oxygen treatment predicts the chance for a successful outcome.

Transcutaneous monitoring of carbon dioxide plays an important role during short-term and long-term treatments for ventilatory failure. Progress during short-term treatments can be judged through tcpCO₂ recordings - especially to avoid crash reintubation of patients who have been weaned off invasive ventilation....

There are several diagnostic approaches to identify and quantify different types of vascular disease. However, these methods usually do not reflect the condition of the cutaneous circulation.  Because transcutaneous oxygen reveals the status of cutaneous circulation, it has been shown to be a powerful diagnostic tool ...