Consecutive daily measurements of luminal concentrations of lactate in the rectum in septic shock patients

Abstract

In a recent study we found no difference in the concentrations of luminal lactate in the rectum between nonsurvivors and survivors in early septic shock (<24 h). This study was initiated to investigate if there are any changes in the concentrations of luminal lactate in the rectum during the first 3 days of septic shock and possible differences between nonsurvivors and survivors. Methods. We studied 22 patients with septic shock in this observational study. Six to 24 h after the onset of septic shock the concentration of lactate in the rectal lumen was estimated by 4 h equilibrium dialysis (day 1). The rectal dialysis was repeated on day 2 and day 3. Results. The concentration of lactate in the rectal lumen did not change over the 3 days in neither nonsurvivors nor survivors. Rectal luminal and arterial lactate concentrations were not different. Conclusion. There was no change in the concentration of lactate in the rectal lumen over time in patients with septic shock. Also, there was no difference between nonsurvivors and survivors.

Figure 1

Rectal luminal and arterial concentrations of lactate in nonsurvivors and survivors of septic shock. There was no significant difference between the groups on any day (Mann-Whitney test) or within the groups over the days (Wilcoxon's signed rank test or Friedman test comparing paired values within groups over 2 or 3 days, resp.). See also Table 2 and text.

Figure 2

Rectal and arterial concentrations of lactate in nonsurvivors and survivors of septic shock. There were no differences using Wilcoxon's signed rank test.