Publication:

Unusually high serum lactate in patient presenting with septic shock

Septic shock has high mortality and can present atypically. Serum lactate, a useful biomarker for early recognition, has direct correlation with the mortality. It simply represents organ dysfunction and its relation with mortality has been widely studied. This case of a 65 year old man highlighting the extremely high lactate level with septic shock and its correlation with the clinical condition and outcome of the patient. He presented to the Emergency department (ED) with signs and symptoms of severe sepsis with initial serum lactate of 62.4 mmol/L measured in ED. Appropriate management was started including fluids and antibiotics, but his serum lactate remained elevated his condition deteriorated, eventually leading to death. High serum lactate levels can be a useful marker to timely identify and manage patients with severe sepsis, decreasing the mortality.