Serum lactate level as a indicator of tissue hypoxia in severely ill patients

Adequate oxygen supply to the tissues is of vital importance to survive critical illness and trauma. Shock can be defined as an imbalance between oxygen demand and oxygen supply. Clinical features of shock, like hypotension, tachycardia, cold clammy skin et cetera, are poorly correlated with presence of tissue hypoxia. A high lactate level is an early sign of tissue hypoxia. In severely ill patients tissue hypoxia is the most important cause of increased lactate levels. Increased blood lactate levels are related to increased mortality. Optimizing oxygen supply by fluid resuscitation is the intervention of first choice.