Evaluation of response time of a transcutaneous oxygen tension electrode.

Response characteristics of a transcutaneous PO2 electrode to step changes in PaO2 were determined. In vitro lag time and 95% response time of a transcutaneous PO2 monitor were compared to in vivo response. Release of arterial occlusion was used to produce rapid local PaO2 changes in human infants and adults. In vitro lag time and 95% response time varied according to whether an increment or decrement in PO2 was produced. In vivo 95% response time of this electrode was two to six times slower than previous estimates, and it varied significantly with the magnitude of the step change, subject age, anatomic location, and local hemodynamic factors. Also, we found that in vivo lag time is two to three times faster than previously reported.