Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 56, Issue 5 1431-1435, Copyright © 1984 by American Physiological Society
Skin gas tensions and resistances measured by mass spectrometry in adults
R. C. Targett, O. Kocher, K. Muramatsu and M. B. McIlroy
We used a dual-sampling chamber 2.5 cm in diameter, controlled by an Apple
II microcomputer, to measure gas tensions in the skin of adults by mass
spectrometry. The tensions of O2, CO2, N2, and water vapor and the
resistances to the flows of gases through the skin were calculated from the
voltages for the different gases passing through two separate membranes of
different permeability. We compared the skin O2 and CO2 tensions with
arterial values in 13 patients with lung disease during a standardized
exercise test. The skin values followed changes in the arterial values. The
regression line relating skin to arterial O2 tension had a slope of 1.05
and that for CO2 a slope of 1.51. We conclude that mass spectrometry is
capable of providing measurements of gas tension from the heated skin that
are similar to those found using electrochemical methods in adults.
