Measurement of peripheral venous oxygen saturation in the leg using near-infrared spectroscopy

Background: It has been suggested that poor healing of wounds may be associated with reduced tissue oxygenation. A non-invasive method of assessing peripheral venous oxygenation has been investigated. Method: Changes in oxyhaemoglobin (O(2)Hb), deoxy haemoglobin (HHb), oxidized cytochrome aa(3) (cyt aa(3)) and total haemoglobin (tHb) were monitored in the left lower leg of seven healthy volunteers. A short period of venous occlusion was achieved by rapidly inflating a sphygmomanometer cuff placed around the leg to 60 mmHg. The changes in O(2)Hb and tHb, with respect to the baseline readings, were evaluated. PSvO(2) was calculated from (Delta O(2)Hb/Delta tHb) x 100%. Results: From 17 sets of readings on the seven volunteers the median PSvO(2) calculated was 64% (range 50-86%). Conclusion: This method appears to be a simple means of evaluating PSvO(2). A change in cyt aa(3) was often seen associated with the venous occlusion.