Slovenská chirurgia 1-2/2016
Lactate as a marker of shock in cardiac surgery
Lactate is a major metabolic correlate of acids produced during periods of hypoxia. Many studies have already shown that despite its limitations lactate serves as a prognostic marker, correlates with severity of shock and its clearance belongs to the resuscitation endpoints. Thus lactate has become one of the major parametres of shock states. Cardiac surgery by means of its unique pathophysiology often causes shock states of various genesis – hypovolemic, cardiogenic and distributive. This creates a severe clinical problem for attending physician. This review paper hence discusses the (patho)physiology, clinical importance and limitations of lactate in order to provide necessary information for successful patient management after cardiac surgery procedures.
Keywords: lactate, shock, resuscitation, cardiac surgery
