Association between serum lactate levels and mortality in patients with cardiogenic shock receiving mechanical circulatory support: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of peak serum lactate and lactate clearance at several time points in cardiogenic shock treated with temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) or Impella CP®.Methods: Serum lactate and clearance were measured before MCS and at 1h, 6h, 12h, and 24h post-MCS in 43 patients at four tertiary-care centers in Southern Brazil. Prognostic value was assessed by univariable and multivariable analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for 30-day mortality.Results: VA-ECMO was the most common MCS modality (58%). Serum lactate levels at all time points and lactate clearance after 6h were associated with mortality on unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Lactate levels were higher in non-survivors at 6h, 12h, and 24h after MCS. Serum lactate > 1.55 mmol/L at 24h was the best single prognostic marker of 30-day mortality [area under the ROC curve = 0.81 (0.67-0.94); positive predictive value = 86%). Failure to improve serum lactate after 24h was associated with 100% mortality.Conclusions: Serum lactate was an important prognostic biomarker in cardiogenic shock treated with temporary MCS. Serum lactate and lactate clearance at 24h were the strongest independent predictors of short-term survival.