Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
High plasma lactate in dogs with septic peritonitis - what it means
By Cortellini, Stefano et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2015·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Plasma lactate concentrations in septic peritonitis: A retrospective study of 83 dogs (2007-2012).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 83 dogs with septic peritonitis (a serious abdominal infection) was studied to see how their plasma lactate levels (a marker of tissue oxygenation) affected their chances of survival. It was found that dogs with higher lactate levels upon admission were more likely to not survive, and those who couldn't normalize their lactate levels within six hours had a very high risk of death. Overall, about 64% of the dogs survived to go home, while others were euthanized or died during treatment. Monitoring lactate levels can help veterinarians predict outcomes in these critically ill dogs.
People also search for: dog septic peritonitis symptoms · high lactate levels in dogs · dog survival septic peritonitis treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine if absolute plasma lactate concentration or lactate clearance in dogs with septic peritonitis is associated with morbidity or mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2012. SETTING: University teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Eighty-three dogs with septic peritonitis were included. Patients had at least 1 plasma lactate measurement during the course of the hospitalization. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of the patients survived to discharge, 22% were euthanized, and 14% died during hospitalization. Plasma lactate concentration >2.5 mmol/L on admission (29% of the patients) was associated with mortality (P = 0.001). Median admission plasma lactate concentration (n = 81) was significantly different between nonsurvivors (2.5 mmol/L, range 0.5-8.4) and survivors (1.4 mmol/L, range 0.5-9.7; P = 0.007). Admission plasma lactate concentration >4 mmol/L yielded a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 92% for nonsurvival. The inability to normalize plasma lactate concentration within 6 hours of admission (n = 10/24) yielded a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 100% for nonsurvival. Postoperative hyperlactatemia (plasma lactate concentration >2 mmol/L; n = 18/76) had a sensitivity of 46% and specificity of 88% for nonsurvival. Persistent postoperative hyperlactatemia (n = 11/18) had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 100% for nonsurvival. Lactate clearance less than 21% at 6 hours (n = 20) had a sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 91% for nonsurvival. Lactate clearance less than 42% at 12 hours (n = 18) had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 100% for nonsurvival. CONCLUSIONS: Admission plasma lactate concentration and lactate clearance were good prognostic indicators in dogs with septic peritonitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25212787/