Lactate in the emergency department: a case-based critical reflection.
Serum lactate levels are frequently measured in patients with undifferentiated conditions in emergency departments. This article uses a case-based reflection to critically analyse the role of lactate measurement in these patients. It examines the rationale for testing, and the potential causes of raised levels, to remind clinicians that this diagnostic intervention must be taken in the context of patients' clinical presentations and not in isolation.
Emergency department, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham.
Rob
R
Fenwick
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D007773:Lactates
SIRS; lactate; sepsis; serum lactate; systemic inflammatory response syndrome