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Original Research | Anaesthesiology | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 1082 - 1086 | India
Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Serum lactate is an important biomarker of tissue hypoxia, impaired perfusion, and disease severity in critically ill patients. Elevated lactate levels have consistently been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Early identification and serial monitoring of hyperlactatemia may facilitate risk stratification and timely intervention. Our aim to evaluate the correlation between serum lactate levels and mortality among critically ill patients admitted to the ICU. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the ICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital over six months. One hundred critically ill adult patients were enrolled. Admission serum lactate was measured through arterial blood gas analysis. Patients were categorised into Group 1 (< 4 mmol/L) and Group 2 (?4mmol/L). Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, ventilatory support, ICU stay, and mortality outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0; a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 100 patients, 63% were male and 37% were female. Mean serum lactate was significantly higher among non-survivors than survivors (5.6±2.0 vs 2.3±1.1mmol/L; p<0.001). Mortality increased progressively with lactate, reaching 58.3% in patients with lactate > 4 mmol/L. Patients with elevated lactate more frequently required mechanical ventilation (76.3% vs 38.7%; p < 0.001), longer ventilatory support (7.4 ± 3.2 vs 3.8 ± 2.1 days; p < 0.001), and prolonged ICU stay (9.3 ± 4.1 vs 5.8 ± 2.7 days; p < 0.001). Serum lactate correlated significantly with ICU stay (r = 0.54), ventilator days (r = 0.61), and mortality (r = 0.67). ROC analysis showed good predictive performance for mortality (AUC = 0.84). Conclusion: Serum lactate is a valuable prognostic biomarker in critically ill patients. Elevated admission lactate and persistent hyper lactatemia are significantly associated with mortality, prolonged ICU stay, and increased ventilator requirement. Early lactate assessment and serial monitoring may improve prognostication and clinical decision-making.
Keywords: Serumlactate, mortality, critically ill patients, intensive care unit, hyper-lactatemia, prognosis, arterial blood gas
How to Cite?: Dr. Sana Shaikh, Dr. Sana Hanif, Dr. Deepesh Dubey, Dr. Anuj Dubey, "Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Observational Study", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1082-1086, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26619101044, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26619101044