Frontiers in Medicine
Early detection of microcirculatory changes using simultaneous heated and unheated transcutaneous blood gas monitoring: a proof-of-concept study in a porcine lipopolysaccharide model of systemic inflammation
Introduction Early detection of microcirculatory failure in septic patients has the potential to improve clinical outcomes. The microcirculation regulates the oxygen (O 2 ) supply and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) washout in tissues and changes early during severe inflammation and sepsis. Transcutaneous blood gas sensors measure tissue O 2 and CO 2 levels at the skin surface, or when warmed use the vasodilatory response to approximate arterial levels. In addition to differences in measured O 2 and CO 2 values, systemic in …