Lactate test

Ischaemia indicator

About the parameter

In the face of anaerobic metabolism lactate is synthesized from pyruvate. Muscle tissue is the predominant source of lactate production.

Increased lactate concentration is a sensitive indication for a significant metabolic disturbance. Possible reasons are hypoxia and hypoperfusion.

Diseases associated with increased lactate concentration are i.e. hypovolemic shock, local hypoperfusion (i.e. intestinal ischaemia in the face of ileus, aortic-thromboembolism), hypoxia, anaemia, or sepsis.

In racehorses, lactate is used to either check performance ability or i.e. exclude latent myopathy.