Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Jun 1983
Comparative StudySerial lactate determinations during circulatory shock.
The time course of lactacidemia was studied prospectively in 17 patients during fluid resuscitation for an episode of noncardiogenic shock, in 5 patients after grand mal seizures, and in 5 patients after successful CPR for cardiac arrest. The 9 patients in whom shock was reversed with fluid administration demonstrated a regular decrease in lactate concentrations, which exceeded 5% of the initial value during the first 60 min of treatment. ⋯ During circulatory shock, repeated lactate determinations represent a more reliable prognostic index than an initial value taken alone. Changes in lactate concentration can provide an early and objective evaluation of the patient's response to therapy.