Increased blood lacate levels: an important warning signal in surgical practice

Crit Care. 2004 Apr;8(2):96-8. doi: 10.1186/cc2841. Epub 2004 Mar 3.

Abstract

Both in emergency and elective surgical patients increased blood lactate levels warn the physician that the patient is at risk of increased morbidity and decreased changes of survival. Prompt therapeutic measures to restore the balance between oxygen demand and supply are warranted in these patients.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Critical Illness
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / blood*
  • Hypoxia / complications
  • Lactates / blood*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / blood*
  • Multiple Organ Failure / mortality
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / mortality*
  • Prognosis
  • Shock, Septic / blood*
  • Shock, Septic / mortality

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Lactates