Examination of peripheral pulses and peripheral blood pressures are commonly used methods for investigation of macrocirculation. However, falsely elevated peripheral blood pressures may complicate the accurate prediction of ulcer healing in diabetic patients.  Because tcpO₂ also measures the nutritive skin capillary...

The pro-con debate on the advisability of introducing POCT deals with the likely clinical benefits but – to an even higher degree – with the economic aspects. We discuss various models for determining the costs, and some caveats.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a delivery option for performing laboratory testing closer to the patient. Due to increasing healthcare pressures for faster turnaround of laboratory results and the development of a broader menu of testing devices, POCT is growing in popularity. Devices today are more portable,...

Our ability to assess the oxygenation status in critical care with a high degree of accuracy has improved as a result of recent developments in optical technology. The determination of the oxygenation status, however, remains a complex issue due to its multifaceted nature. This review discusses the definitions,...

The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning have been found to be greatly alleviated, or in some cases eliminated, through the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This paper discusses the pathophysiology of carbon monoxide intoxication and presents an overview of its treatment.

Assessment of tcpO₂ before and during hyperbaric oxygen treatment predicts the chance for a successful outcome.

Postoperative monitoring in critical care patients has become a widening field over the past few decades. Improvements in outcome can be related to advances in this field as well as in intraoperative management and preoperative assessment.

The use of transcutaneous equipment is an essential element in the daily monitoring of neonates. To ensure reliable results and as little discomfort to neonates as possible, new staff members must be trained thoroughly. Nurse Åse Hansen, from the Copenhagen County Hosital, runs through the basic elements of staff...

The possibility of continuously monitoring arterial blood oxygen and carbon dioxide using heated surface electrodes on human skin was discovered in the early 1970s and made commercially available by 1976.  These devices were applied initially to premature infants in an effort to reduce the incidence of blindness due...

Application of wound healing management algorithms in hyperbaric oxygen therapy improve clinical outcomes and, at the same time, markedly reduce expenditures.