Lactate vs BD in trauma

Q: Which is a better predictor of mortality in normotensive elderly blunt trauma patients? (select one)

A) Lactate 

B) Base Deficit

Answer: A

Lactate and base deficit (BD) remain favorites amongst intensivists as a guide to gauge the level of acidosis. At least one study shows that in elderly blunt trauma patients with normal blood pressure, underlying high lactate is a better predictor of mortality. If lactate level is severely elevated (level more than 4 mmol/L), the odds of dying are four times higher than BD!

Editors' note: It's an interesting study for trauma patients and highly recommended to browse.

#trauma

Reference:

Callaway DW, Shapiro NI, Donnino MW, Baker C, Rosen CL. Serum lactate and base deficit as predictors of mortality in normotensive elderly blunt trauma patients. J Trauma. 2009 Apr;66(4):1040-4. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e3181895e9e. PMID: 19359912. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19359912/