Lactate as Predictor of Mortality in Polytrauma

BACKGROUND: The lactate is a product of anaerobic metabolism; it can be used as a marker on demand and availability of oxygen. Changes in lactate levels can be effectively used as a marker in resuscitation maneuvers, even in patients with stable vital signs. AIM: To verify the lactate clearance as a predictor of mortality in trauma patients, in need of intensive care. METHOD: A total of 851 patients were admitted in ICU, in which 146 were victims of multiple trauma; due to the exclusion criteria, were included 117. RESULTS: Patients were 87% male, mean age 32.4 years, motorcycle drivers, Glasgow coma scale between 3-8, affected by cranial trauma, followed by abdominal trauma. Was verified mortality up to 48 h and global mortality, that did not show statistical relationship between lactate clearance and mortality (p=0.928). CONCLUSION: There is no correlation between admission lactate or lactate clearance and mortality in patients treated with multiple trauma.