Lactic acidosis

Abstract

Lactic acidosis indicates a severe metabolic derangement, with significant associated mortality. The term “lactic acidosis” actually embodies two separate pathologic processes: hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidemia. Because the most common cause of hyperlactatemia, cellular hypoxia, may simultaneously cause acidemia, the combined term lactic acidosis is commonly used to describe any condition of increased lactate levels. Despite this usage, many causes of hyperlactatemia are not associated with acidemia.