Feasibility of Lactate Level Evaluation in Prehospital Care in Trauma

Feasibility of Lactate Level Evaluation in Prehospital Care in Trauma

Capillary or venous lactate level evaluation in prehospital care could be simple and beneficial tool for optimising prehospital care in patients with severe trauma.

Evaluation of blood lactate level and its trend are important morbidity and mortality predictive factors. In prehospital care, lactate level is more sensitive marker and have better prognostic value in severe trauma than basic vital signs. Worse outcome is associated with levels between 2 - 4 mmol/l. Measurement of lactate level in venous or capillary blood is quick and simple method with minimal risks and with no special needs for medical staff training. In spite of good availability of this method in the Czech Republic the method feasibility has never been analysed in patients with severe trauma.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patient having / suspected to have severe trauma treated by cooperating Emergency Medical System organization

Exclusion Criteria:

• possible alterations of plasma lactate level in the time of trauma (seizure, malignity, use of beta-2 agonists, severe liver and/or kidney failure, ketoacidosis, intoxication)