Lactate and lactate clearance as valuable tool to evaluate ECMO therapy in cardiogenic shock

ECMO support is an ultimate ratio therapy for patients in refractory cardiogenic shock and is linked to high mortality. We assessed the dynamic characteristics of lactate during ECMO therapy and its predictive role on 30-day mortality.

Data were retrospectively collected in all patients receiving ECMO support longer than 48h for cardiogenic shock from 01/2008 to 12/2016. Blood lactate was recorded before ECMO implantation, at prespecified timepoints during ECMO support, 1h and 6h post-ECMO as well as peak lactate during ECMO and peak within 24h after ECMO support. Statistical analysis included t-test and ROC-curves to identify cut-off levels for lactate levels to predict 30-day mortality.

139 patients underwent ECMO therapy longer than 48h for refractory cardiogenic shock resulting in a 30-day mortality of 68%. Lactate before ECMO and peak lactate level during ECMO support showed no significant connection to mortality, while lactate and lactate clearance at 24h were predictive for 30-day mortality with cut-off values of 2.15mmol/l and 0.687 respectively.

Dynamic course of lactate during ECMO therapy is a valuable tool to assess effective circulatory support and is superior to single lactate measurements as a predictive marker for 30-day mortality.