[Correlation of transcutaneous oxygen pressure and blood lactate in patients with septic shock]

To analyze the correlation between transcutaneous oxygen pressure (P(tc)O(2)) and blood lactate in patients with septic shock. Fifty-sixpatients with septic shock were prospectively investigated. P(tc)O(2) was monitored continuously for 6 hours, and arterial blood gas was measured at baseline (T0) and 6 hours(T6). Records of P(tc)O(2),were analyzed for the correlation with lactate level and lactate clearance rate. P(tc)O(2) valuesin the high lactate clearance group and the low one were compared.The lowest value of P(tc)O(2) at T6 and duration of P(tc)O(2)<40 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) were both correlated with lactate level and lactate clearance rateat T6.The low predictive value of P(tc)O(2) was 29 mmHg of lactate clearance under 20% with a sensitivity 85.2% and a specificity 65.5%. The low predictive value of P(tc)O(2) in high lactate clearance group was significantly higher than that in low lactate clearance group, while the duration of P(tc)O(2)<40 mmHg was shorter than the latter. During 6 h continuous monitoring, patients with a significant low P(tc)O(2) or prolonged duration of low P(tc)O(2) have relatively high lactate or low lactate clearance after resuscitation.