title: Base excess is an accurate predictor of elevated lactate in ED septic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prior studies showed that lactate is a useful marker in sepsis. However, lactate is often not routinely drawn or rapidly available in the emergency department (ED).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to determine if base excess (BE), widely and rapidly available in the ED, could be used as a surrogate marker for elevated lactate in ED septic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective and observational cohort study. From March 2009 to March 2010, consecutive patients 18 years or older who presented to the ED with a suspected severe sepsis were enrolled in the study. Lactate and BE measurements were performed. We defined, a priori, a clinically significant lactate to be greater than 3 mmol/L and BE less than -4 mmol/L.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 224 patients were enrolled in the study. The average BE was -4.5 mmol/L (SD, 4.9) and the average lactate was 3.5 mmol/L (SD, 2.9). The sensitivity of a BE less than -4 mmol/L in predicting elevated lactate greater than 3 mmol/L was 91.1% (95% confidence interval, 85.5%-96.6%) and the specificity was 88.6% (95% confidence interval, 83.0%-94.2%). The area under the curve was 0.95.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Base excess is an accurate marker for the prediction of elevated lactate in the ED. The measurement of BE, obtained in a few minutes in the ED, provides a secure and quick method, similar to the electrocardiogram at triage for patients with chest pain, to determine the patients with sepsis who need an early aggressive resuscitation.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Hôtel Dieu Teaching Hospital, Nantes 44000, France. lemonlia@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montassier
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Batard
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segard
authors.forename: Jean-Benoît
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Hardouin
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinage
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Le Conte
authors.forename: Gille
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Potel
mesh_terms: D000471:Alkalosis / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007773:Lactates