Comparison of two methods of measuring forearm oxygen consumption (VO2) by near infrared spectroscopy

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure oxygen consumption (V ˙ O2) in the human forearm with two different methods.V ˙ O2 was measured in ten patients, first by inducing a forearm venous occlusion and then an ischemia. The mean value ofV ˙ O2 was 3.3 6 1.1 mMO2 3 100 g−13min−1 during venous occlusion and 2.960.9 mMO2 3 100 g−13min−1 during ischemia. The difference between the two means was 0.4 mMO2 3 100 g−13min−1. A good agreement between the two methods was demonstrated. The results showed that NIRS is a useful tool for the measurement of V ˙ O2 . The venous occlusion method was the method of choice because it could be easily repeated at the bedside without causing any discomfort to the patient.