Lactate levels as a prognostic predict in cardiogenic shock under venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support

Introduction and objectives Lactate and its evolution are associated with the prognosis of patients in shock, although there is little evidence in those assisted with an extracorporeal venoarterial oxygenation membrane (VA-ECMO). Our objective was to evaluate its prognostic value in cardiogenic shock assisted with VA-ECMO. Methods Study of patients with cardiogenic shock treated with VA-ECMO for medical indication between July 2013 and April 2021. Lactate clearance was calculated: [(initial lactate − 6 h lactate) / initial lactate × exact time between both determinations]. Results From 121 patients, 44 had acute myocardial infarction (36.4%), 42 implant during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (34.7%), 14 pulmonary embolism (11.6%), 14 arrhythmic storm (11.6%), and 6 fulminant myocarditis (5.0%). After 30 days, 60 patients (49.6%) died, mortality was higher for implant during cardiopulmonary resuscitation than for implant in spontaneous circulation (30 of 42 [71.4%] vs 30 of 79 [38.0%], P=.030). Preimplantation GPT and lactate (both baseline, at 6hours, and clearance) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. The regression models that included lactate clearance had a better predictive capacity for survival than the ENCOURAGE and ECMO-ACCEPTS scores, with the area under the ROC curve being greater in the model with lactate at 6 h. Conclusions Lactate (at baseline, 6h, and clearance) is an independent predictor of prognosis in patients in cardiogenic shock supported by VA-ECMO, allowing better risk stratification and predictive capacity.