Determination of plasma lactate in the emergency department for the early detection of tissue hypoperfusion in septic patients

Abstract Objective To determine the validity of plasma lactate in the emergency department for the early detection of tissue hypoperfusion in septic patients. Materials and methods Longitudinal descriptive study. Non probabilistic sampling for convenience. Plasma lactate levels were determined in patients admitted to the emergency department with systemic inflammatory response data and clinical suspicion or documented infection. Follow-up was seven days. Complications were considered if the patients presented septic shock, severe sepsis, entry to intensive care or death. Results Ninety patients were included. The mean age was 57.4 ± 20.31. Fifty five percent (n = 49) were women. 25% (n = 22) of the patients showed complications. Plasma lactate levels were 1.55 mmol/L in uncomplicated patients and 3.72 mmol/L for complicated patients (p  Conclusion Plasma lactate is useful in emergency departments as a predictive test for the early detection of patients with tissue hypoperfusion that evolve to severe sepsis, septic shock or death.