Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Evaluation of Blood Lactate and Plasma Insulin During High-intensity Exercise by Antecubital Vein Catheterization
Published on: May 18, 2018
Capillary and Venous Lactate Agreement: a pilot prospective observational study
Deepankar Datta1, Julia Grahamslaw1, Alasdair James Gray1
1Emergency Medicine Research Group Edinburgh, Department of Emergency Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Background:
Blood lactate is a marker of patient illness severity. Capillary lactate (CAP-LACT) measurement can potentially improve patient screening; however, it has poor evidence of clinical utility.
Aim:
We aimed to investigate agreement between CAP-LACT and peripheral venous lactate (PV-LACT).
Methods:
We performed a prospective observational pilot study of 99 patients requiring lactate measurement. Paired CAP-LACT and PV-LACT was recorded. Agreement was determined by Bland-Altman analysis.
Results:
Bias was 0.2 mmol/L, with 95% limits of agreement from -1.9 to 2.3.
Conclusions:
CAP-LACT has poor agreement with PV-LACT. Further research is needed to improve its potential clinical utility.

