From April 2010 to June 2011, the L-lactate concentrations, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score and Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score were prospectively collected in surgical patients (n = 174) admitted into the ICU. The L-Lactate and scoring systems were related to events defined as performing computed tomography-scans, laparotomy, ultrasonography, and flexible endoscopy. Furthermore, all surgical complications were also registered.
For SOFA scores above four points, mean lactate concentrations increased 4.5 % for each point increase in SOFA score (P < 0.0005). In APACHE II scores above 16 points, mean lactate concentrations increased 2.9 % for each point increase in APACHE II score (P < 0.0005). Each 10 % increase in lactate concentration showed a 3.3 % higher odds for a first event (OR 1.033; P?=?0.26). Lactate levels did not correspond with more complications (OR 0.968; P?=?0.52).
There is a significant positive relationship between lactate concentrations, high SOFA scores, and APACHE II scores. However, the important outcome is that lactate seems to be a poor predictor for surgical complications in the critically ill surgical patient in the ICU.