Plasma lactate as prognostic marker of septic shock with acute respiratory distress syndrome

The present study was conducted to study the significance of lactate as a prognostic marker in patients of septic shock with acute respiratory distress syndrome. This study was conducted on 50 critically ill patients of septic shock with acute respiratory distress syndrome between the age group of 20–60 years and 50 controls. Plasma lactate and serum electrolytes were determined among controls and patients. Arterial blood gas analysis for pO2, pCO2 and pH was carried out among patients. Arterial base excess and anion gap were calculated and lactate was correlated with base excess, anion gap and pCO2 at 5% level of significance. Higher lactate, negative arterial base excess, high anion gap, low pO2 and high pCO2 were observed among patients. Lactate was positively correlated pCO2 and anion gap and negatively with pO2 and base excess among patients. Hyperlactatemia increasing with progression of septic shock with acute respiratory distress syndrome may suggest that lactate may be used as noninvasive prognostic marker or guide to resuscitation.