The transcutaneous pO
_2
(tcpO
_2
) changes induced by the increase
of temperature to 45
{}^\circ
C after electrode
stabilization at 37
{}^\circ
C were continuously recorded. The
mathematical analysis of the curve led us to identify three different
parameters: the half‐slope “
b
” time, the angular “
m_T
” coefficient and
the angular “
m_b
” parameter, which are not simply the
expression of the maximum vasodilation capacity but mainly of the dynamic
response of the microcirculatory system to skin heating. These parameters
derived from the computerized mathematical analysis of the curve can be also
obtained by a graphical approach with a very good approximation. The angular
“
m_b
”
coefficient was shown to possess the highest statistical power in discriminating
the POAD patients from normal controls. The clinical relevance and the possible
pathophysiological meaning of these preliminary observations have to be
confirmed.
