Evaluation of Lactate and Lactate Clearance as a Marker of Outcome in Trauma ICU

Hypo-perfusion is usual in patients suffering from traumatic injury that may be indicated by serum lactate elevation. This study was performed to analyze the relation of the lactate value with trauma mortality and its clearance. The research included a total of 202 trauma patients admitted into ICU. Study parameters such as patient demography, injury mechanism, Blood Pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and level of lactate in the blood. All these parameters were documented in the first 3 hours of hospitalization, and lactate clearance was recorded between 3 and 9 hours afterwards. For the study point; death up to 7 days was considered as a direct impact of trauma and considered in study. The study was divided into two subgroups, either expired (n=79) or survivors (n=123) according to the final outcome. The mean age, mean body weight, sex ratio, HR, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) in both groups were comparable. The difference in lactate at admission, lactate at 6 hours and lactate clearance in between survivors and deaths were found to be insignificant statistically. Among trauma patients there is no significant relationship between lactate admission or lactate clearance and mortality. Higher sample size may be appropriate for definitive proof to be reached.