The present work was performed to test the sensitivity of transcutaneous oximetry in evaluating the first stage of peripheral artery disease in patients with few symptoms. Eighteen nondiabetic patients, stage II according to Fontaine and classified according to their walking capability and Doppler examination, were investigated. Ten healthy subjects served as controls. Measurements were performed with the subjects standing and during exercise on a treadmill. Postischemic hyperemia was also evaluated with strain-guage plethysmography. Standing values did not discriminate between patients and controls; on the contrary the pattern of the early phase of trancutaneous oximetry curves obtained during exercise allowed the investigators to distinguish the symptomatic patients with minimal symptoms. Accuracy and sensitivity of the method further increased when regional perfusion index was considered.