A newly designed triple probe is introduced for measurements of transcutaneous oxygen tension, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and microangiodynamics of skin capillaries by dynamic video microscopy with and without fluorochromes. The performance of the triple probe was checked in 9 healthy volunteers (6 women, 3 men; mean age: 34 years) and 9 patients (5 women, 4 men; mean age: 67 years) with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). The mean Doppler ankle/arm pressure ratio was 0.54 +/- 0.30. Six patients suffered from severe claudication, 2 from rest pain and 1 patient had toe and forefoot necrosis. The foot dorsum was selected as measuring site. After recording baseline values of skin surface PO2 (ssPO2) at 37 degrees C, LDF and capillary images, a suprasystolic compression at the ankle level was performed for 4 min. Thirty seconds before cuff opening 0.2 ml/1 l blood volume of 20% sodium fluorescein was injected in an antecubital vein. Sodium fluorescein arrival times, filling times and maximum fluorescent light intensity times were measured, and ssPO2 and LDF were recorded continuously during postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH). The results indicate an adequate function of the triple probe. The mean resting ssPO2 was 2.0 +/- 1.9 mm Hg in PAOD patients and 4.0 +/- 3.9 mm Hg in controls (p = 0.185). Maximum ssPO2 during PORH was significantly reduced (p = 0.008) in patients (3.1 +/- 2.1 mm Hg) compared to healthy subjects (11.8 +/- 7.7 mm Hg). Resting LDF values were 6.5 +/- 6.4 perfusion units (PU) in PAOD patients versus 10.3 +/- 8.2 AU in controls (p = 0.295). Peak LDF during PORH was significantly reduced (p = 0.005) in patients (19.5 +/- 6.4 PU) versus healthy subjects (33.8 +/- 11.5 PU.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)