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🧪 Lactate Interpretation

UseInterpret an elevated lactate, distinguish type A (hypoperfusion) from type B causes, and use clearance to gu…

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SourceSurviving Sepsis Campaign — lactate-guided resuscitation

Runs locally in your browser (no PHI uploaded). For licensed clinicians — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Stored on this device for revisit reminders

This-shift next steps

After scoring: open the scene pack, peer scores, and the matching pathway. Local reference — no HIS write.

Scene next step
📋SepsisOpen scene pack →
Related scores
Matching pathway
🧭sepsis_h1Open pathway →
Score + version; reference only — not a substitute for care · no HIS write

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Methodology · worked example, guidelines & full notes
Clinical takeaway

Type A (hypoperfusion/hypoxia) is most common, but check type B causes.

When to use

Interpret an elevated lactate, distinguish type A (hypoperfusion) from type B causes, and use clearance to guide resuscitation.

How it works

Normal < 2, elevated > 2, severe > 4 mmol/L. Sepsis resuscitation target: ≥ 10–20% clearance over 2–6 h.

Key points

  • Type A (hypoperfusion/hypoxia) is most common, but check type B causes.
  • Type B: liver failure, metformin (MALA), thiamine deficiency, toxins.
  • > 4 mmol/L flags high risk in sepsis/shock.
  • Process samples promptly to avoid spuriously high values.

References

Worked calculation

The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.

ViewCauses (type A/B)

→LactateCauses by type

  • Type A (tissue hypoperfusion/hypoxia)：Shock (septic/cardiogenic/hypovolaemic/obstructive), severe hypoxia/anaemia, mesenteric ischaemia, cardiac arrest
  • Type B (no obvious hypoxia)：Liver failure, malignancy, thiamine (B1) deficiency, metformin (MALA), alcohol, mitochondrial toxins (CO/cyanide), beta-2 agonists, post-seizure
ViewCut-offs

→LactateLactate cut-offs

  • Normal：< 2 mmol/L
  • Elevated：> 2 mmol/L
  • Severe：> 4 mmol/L (high-risk in sepsis/shock, start resuscitation)
Verification & sources · governance
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the limits and cautions when using Lactate Interpretation?
For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
Does Lactate Interpretation upload patient data? Where is it calculated?
Calculation runs locally in the browser; inputs and results are not uploaded. For licensed clinicians only; interpret with history, investigations and local protocols — not a diagnosis or prescription.
How is Lactate Interpretation calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
Inputs: View Causes (type A/B) → Result: Lactate Causes by type（Type A (tissue hypoperfusion/hypoxia): Shock (septic/cardiogenic/hypovolaemic/obstructive), severe hypoxia/anaemia, mesenteric ischaemia, cardiac arrest, Type B (no obvious hypoxia): Liver failure, malignancy, thiamine (B1) deficiency, metformin (MALA), alcohol, mitochondrial toxins (CO/cyanide), beta-2 agonists, post-seizure） Inputs: View Cut-offs → Result: Lactate Lactate cut-offs（Normal: < 2 mmol/L, Elevated: > 2 mmol/L, Severe: > 4 mmol/L (high-risk in sepsis/shock, start resuscitation)）
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