Plasma lactate and base excess as independent prognostic factors

Objective

To investigate the levels of lactate and base access (BE) as independent prognostic factors of the mortality of newly admitted patients compared with the existing scoring systems (SAPS II and APACHE II).

Participants

All the newly admitted patients in an eight-bed ICU regardless of the cause of admission.

Methods

Lactate and BE levels were measured at the time of admission along with the SAPS II and APACHE II scores. Patient outcome at 28 days was also documented.

Results

See Tables 1 and 2. Statistical analysis using a paired t test was performed, indicating a statistical significant difference P < 0.001 for SAPS II and P < 0.000 for the APACHE II score, and P < 0.008 for the lactate and BE levels between the two groups.

Table 1

Table 2

Conclusion

Lactate levels and BE appear to be independent prognostic factors for the 28-day mortality of the newly admitted patients in the ICU.