Severely High Lactic Acid in Severe Pneumonia Patient: a Case Report

Severe pneumonia (SP) is a clinically critical acute disease which has a higher mortality rate among infectious diseases. In this report, a rare case of severe pneumonia with severely high lactic acid (up to 24 mmol/L) and relatively normal pH was analyzed.

The case was discussed from different angles including acid-base balance disorder, the use of extractor-poreal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), dialysis treatment, circulatory disturbance, and inspection methodology.

Hypoxia and dissolution of muscles caused by circulatory disorders may be the cause of the abnormal increase of lactate in this case; while the relatively normal pH may be caused by the dialysis treatment.

Such a high blood gas lactic acid value is extremely rare, and this increase is not due to the limitations of the test method. High lactic acid may not result in the significant decrease of pH when the patient receives continuous systemic treatment.