Exercise oximetry in arterial claudication

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement (TcPO2) is well known as a useful tool for the evaluation of critical limb ischemia, but it is rarely used during exercise (Ex-TcPO2). We have used exercise oximetry, in Angers, as a noninvasive vascular investigation for about >15 years to detect regional blood flow impairment at the proximal and distal levels simultaneously and on both sides. The use of a chest electrode is required to calculate the Delta from rest of oxygen pressure index (DROP) and account for eventual systemic exercise-induced hypoxemia. The DROP index that we proposed in our first publication in 2003, because of its mathematical formula, is independent of the absolute oxygen pressure starting values which result in improved reliability of Ex-TcPO2 as compared to the regional perfusion index. The present review is of specific interest at a time when the technique is rapidly spreading in France and Abroad