• D T Ubbink and B Koopman.
• Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, 1100 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. d.ubbink@amc.uva.nl
• Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2006 Apr 1; 31 (4): 394-400.

ObjectiveTo examine the reproducibility and clinical applicability of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients with leg ischaemia.DesignProspective comparative diagnostic study.Materials And MethodsRoutinely measured peripheral blood pressure and microcirculatory parameters were compared with tissue oxygen saturation (TsO(2)) measurements using a new NIRS device on the calf muscle and the foot. Healthy subjects (n=20) and patients in different stages of leg ischaemia (n=45) were investigated at rest and after provocation: a treadmill test, arterial occlusion and a change in posture. Healthy volunteers were used as an age-matched reference population.ResultsReproducibility of the NIRS was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient at rest was 0.91 (95% confidence interval: 80-99). Resting TsO(2) (65%) in healthy controls did not differ significantly from that in patients (Fontaine 2: 66%; F3/4: 68%). After exercise, a significant reduction in TsO(2) was observed only in patients: Fontaine 1: 60%; Fontaine 2: 21%, Fontaine 3/4: 29%. The ankle/brachial index after exercise showed a good correlation (R=0.73) with TsO(2) at the end of the treadmill test. No correlation between NIRS and other micro- or macrocirculatory parameters was found.ConclusionNIRS is a very reproducible tool to assess tissue oxygen saturation, but is not useful for the routine work-up of patients with leg ischaemia.

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