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Commentary

Increased blood lacate levels: an important warning signal in surgical practice

Jan Bakker1* and Alex P de Lima2

Author Affiliations

1 Head, Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2 Research Physician, Department of Intensive Care, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Critical Care 2004, 8:96-98 doi:10.1186/cc2841


See related Research article: http://ccforum.com/content/8/2/R60

Published: 3 March 2004

Abstract

Both in emergency and elective surgical patients increased blood lactate levels warn the physician that the patient is at risk of increased morbidity and decreased changes of survival. Prompt therapeutic measures to restore the balance between oxygen demand and supply are warranted in these patients.

Keywords:
lactate; lactic acid; morbidity; mortality; trauma; surgery