Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcpO₂) has gained worldwide acceptance as a simple and effective method of evaluating cutaneous blood flow in settings where skin viability and the adequacy of skin blood flow are of major concern.

An example of such a setting is the non-invasive vascular laboratory at the Mayo Clinic, headed by Dr Thom W. Rooke. To get insight into how tcpO₂ measurements can be applied as a part of the daily routine in such a setting, bloodgas.org has visited Dr. Rooke.