Effectiveness of arterial, venous, and capillary blood lactate as a sepsis triage tool in ED patients

Validating a point of care lactate meter in adult patients with sepsis presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital of a low- to middle-income country

“…However, venous blood POC lactate measurement signified a slightly stronger correlation than fingertip/ capillary blood. Similar fi ndings were shown by a study conducted by Contenti et al, [25] where the aim was to compare lactate level measurements from arterial, venous and capillary blood samples using a handheld point of care device. They were able to demonstrate that venous blood samples were superior in specifi city and sensitivity to capillary and arterial blood samples for lactate levels.…”

Long-Term β-Blocker Therapy Decreases Blood Lactate Concentration in Severely Septic Patients*

“…A blood lactate concentration greater than 4 mmol/L is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality (2). Therefore, the blood lactate concentration is an important triage tool in the initial assessment of septic patients (3,4). Increased blood lactate levels are also usually considered as an indicator of shock intensity.…”

Arterial to end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension difference (CO2 gap) as a prognostic marker for adverse outcomes in emergency department patients presenting with suspected sepsis

“…Past studies have presented conflicting evidence on venous and arterial gas lactate measurement correlations in sepsis especially in patients with lactate levels ≥2 mmol/L . ED clinicians routinely utilise venous blood gas measurements to assess patient acid–base status and lactate levels, but should consider conducting a CO 2 gap measurement in patients whom they undertake an ABG.…”

“…Past studies have presented conflicting evidence on venous and arterial gas lactate measurement correlations in sepsis especially in patients with lactate levels ≥2 mmol/L. 17,18 ED clinicians routinely utilise venous blood gas measurements to assess patient acid-base status and lactate levels, but should consider conducting a CO 2 gap measurement in patients whom they undertake an ABG. Future analysis should investigate whether the correction of a raised CO 2 gap through specific cardiorespiratory interventions provides any prognostic information for patients being admitted to hospital with sepsis.…”