Conjunctival and transcutaneous oxygen monitoring during resuscitation.

Conjunctival (PciO2) and transcutaneous (PtcO2) oxygen tensions were serially measured during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Changes in cardiac function and arterial oxygen content were reflected accurately by alterations in PciO2 and PtcO2. PciO2 showed more rapid responses to changes in physiologic state than did PtcO2. Conjunctival and transcutaneous oxygen sensors gave continuous information with respect to oxygen delivery during CPR, and provided real-time assessment of the effectiveness of CPR in terms of peripheral perfusion and tissue oxygenation.