Early lactate clearance in septic patients with elevated lactate levels admitted from the emergency department to intensive care: time to aim higher?

Craig A Walker, David Griffith, Alasdair J Gray, Deepankar Datta, Alasdair W Hay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

PURPOSE: Septic patients with hyperlactatemia have increased mortality rates, irrespective of hemodynamic and oxygen-derived variables. The aims of the study are the following: (1) to ascertain whether lactate clearance (LC) (percentage change in lactate over unit time) predicts mortality in septic patients admitted to intensive care directly from the emergency department and (2) to calculate the optimal "cut-off" value for mortality prediction.

METHODS: Three-year retrospective observational study of consecutive patients with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted to intensive care from the emergency department of a tertiary UK hospital. We calculated 6-hour LC, performed receiver operating characteristic analyses to calculate optimal cut-off values for initial lactate and LC, dichotomized patients according to the LC cut-off, and calculated hazard ratios using a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS: One hundred six patients were identified; 78, after exclusions. Lactate clearance was independently associated with 30-day mortality (P<.04); optimal cut-off, 36%. Mortality rates were 61.1% and 10.7% for patients with 6-hour LC 36% or less and greater than 36%, respectively. Hazard ratio for death with LC 36% or less was 7.33 (95% confidence interval, 2.17-24.73; P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Six-hour LC was independently associated with mortality, and the optimal cut-off value was 36%, significantly higher than previously reported. We would support further research investigating this higher LC as a distinct resuscitation end point in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)832-7
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Critical Care
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2013

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • APACHE
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Lactic Acid
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scotland
  • Sepsis
  • Shock, Septic
  • Time Factors

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Early lactate clearance in septic patients with elevated lactate levels admitted from the emergency department to intensive care: time to aim higher?'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this