Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2025
Postconditioning with Lactate-enriched Blood for Cardioprotection in ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Published on: May 28, 2019
Cardiovascular effects of lactate in healthy adults
Kristoffer Berg-Hansen1,2, Nigopan Gopalasingam3,4,5, Mette Glavind Bülow Pedersen4,6,7
1Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark. krisbe@rm.dk.
Background:
Low-volume hypertonic solutions, such as half-molar lactate (LAC), may be a potential treatment used for fluid resuscitation. This study aimed to evaluate the underlying cardiovascular effects and mechanisms of LAC infusion compared to sodium-matched hypertonic sodium chloride (SAL).
Methods:
Eight healthy male participants were randomized in a controlled, single-blinded, crossover study. Each participant received a four-hour infusion of LAC and SAL in a randomized order. Assessor-blinded echocardiography and blood samples were performed. The primary endpoint was cardiac output (CO) measured by echocardiography.
Results:
During LAC infusion, circulating lactate levels increased by 1.9 mmol/L (95% CI 1.8-2.0 mmol/L, P < 0.001) compared with SAL. CO increased by 1.0 L/min (95% CI 0.5-1.4 L/min, P < 0.001), driven primarily by a significant increase in stroke volume of 11 mL (95% CI 4-17 mL, P = 0.002), with no significant change in heart rate. Additionally, left ventricular ejection fraction improved by 5 percentage points (P < 0.001) and global longitudinal strain by 1.5 percentage points (P < 0.001). Preload indicators were elevated during SAL infusion compared with LAC infusion. Concomitantly, afterload parameters, including systemic vascular resistance and effective arterial elastance, were significantly decreased with LAC infusion compared with SAL, while mean arterial pressure remained similar. Indicators of contractility improved during LAC infusion.
Conclusions:
In healthy participants, LAC infusion enhanced cardiac function, evidenced by increases in CO, stroke volume, and left ventricular ejection fraction compared with SAL. Indicators of contractility improved, afterload decreased, and preload remained stable. Therefore, LAC infusion may be an advantageous resuscitation fluid, particularly in patients with cardiac dysfunction.
Clinical Trial Registrations:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04710875 . Registered 1 December 2020.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:17Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be...
01:24Muscle Recovery and Fatigue
01:19Cardiac Output I:Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output (CO) refers to the total amount of blood ejected by one of the ventricles in liters per minute (L/min). In a resting adult, CO ranges from 5 to 6 L/min, adjusting according to the body's metabolic requirements.
Effect of Heart Rate on Cardiac Output
Cardiac output adapts to metabolic demands during stress, physical activity, or illness. The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate via the sinoatrial node. The parasympathetic nervous system decreases heart...
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
01:22Cardiac Output II: Effect of Stroke Volume on Cardiac Output
Preload
Preload refers to the initial elongation of the cardiac myocytes before contraction and is related to the volume of blood filling the heart at the end of diastole, or end-diastolic volume. The...