Hyperlactatemia in critical illness and cardiac surgery

Excerpt

We read with interest the article by Nichol and colleagues [1] in a recent issue of Critical Care. Their study of more than 7,000 medical and surgical patients supports the claim that an admission plasma lactate level in the upper normal range is associated with increased mortality. However, we are concerned about the lack of data regarding patient baseline characteristics. Specifically, although 3,166 and 1,614 patients had diagnoses of 'surgery' and 'cardiac/vascular', respectively, it is likely, but not stated, that numerous patients were admitted following cardiac surgery. This is of great importance as changes in lactate in this patient group are not homogenous in nature. …