Patients with Severe Lactic Acidosis in the Intensive Care Unit: A Retrospective Study of Contributing Factors and Impact of Renal Replacement Therapy

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Hyperlactatemia is a regular condition in the intensive care unit, which is often associated with adverse outcomes. Control of the triggering condition is the most effective treatment of hyperlactatemia, but since this is mostly not readily possible, extracorporeal renal replacement therapy (RRT) is often tried as a last resort. The present study aims to evaluate the factors that may contribute to the decision whether to start RRT or not and the potential impact of the start of RRT on the outcome in patients with severe lactic acidosis (SLA) (lactate ≥5 mmol/L). <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort analysis over a 3-year period including all patients with a lactate level ≥5 mmol/L. Patients were considered as treated with RRT because of SLA if RRT was started within 24 h after reaching a lactate level ≥5 mmol/L. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 90-day mortality in patients with SLA was 34.5%. Of the 1,203 patients who matched inclusion/exclusion criteria, 11% (<i>n</i> = 133) were dialyzed within 24 h. The propensity to receive RRT was related to the lactate level and to the SOFA renal and cardio score. The most frequently used modality was continuous RRT. Patients who were started on RRT versus those who did not have 2.3 higher odds of mortality, even after adjustment for the propensity to start RRT. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our analysis confirms the high mortality rate of patients with SLA. It adds that odds for mortality is even higher in patients who were started on RRT versus not. We suggest keeping an open mind to the factors that may influence the decision to start dialysis and bear in mind that without being a bridge to correction of the underlying condition, dialysis is unlikely to affect the outcome.

Targeted Temperature Management of Severe Lactic Acidosis in a Patient with MELAS Syndrome after Cardiac Arrest

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is known as a maternally inherited mitochondrial disease with a m.3243A>G mutation in the MT-TL1 gene. Here, we report a case of targeted temperature management in a MELAS patient who had a cardiac arrest and severe lactic acidosis after recurrent seizures.

Lactic Acidosis in a Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome

Fifteen-month-old male child, known to have a congenital bone marrow failure syndrome, presented in a state of shock with severe lactic acidosis following a brief episode of vomiting. Hospital stay was complicated by recurrent bouts of metabolic acidosis and progressive hepatic failure. Blood mitochondrial DNA sequencing revealed a large heteroplasmic 4,977 bp mitochondrial deletion (approximately 40% of all mitochondrial copies) suggestive of Pearson marrow-pancreas syndrome. By virtue of natural disease course, within a month of admission child succumbed to end-stage liver failure with multi-organ failure and died.

Lactic acidosis had developed in diabetic patients receiving herbal therapy

Introduction: Herbal antidiabetic products are popular in Vietnam. Many cases have presented to hospitals with severe lactic acidosis, shock and were ultimately fatal. We reviewed the clinical findings of these patients for factors that contributed to their illness and death, and analyzed the ingredients contained in these herbal products sold for diabetic treatment. Method: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational case series. Data were collected on all cases who presented with severe lactic acidosis after use of traditional herbal anti-diabetic pills, over the two-year time period 2018 – 2019. Past medical histories and clinical findings were reviewed. Samples of the herbal anti-diabetic products, and patient blood and urine were analyzed. Results: A total of 18 cases of severe lactic acidosis associated with use of herbal anti-diabetic pills were reviewed. These patients had a diagnosis of diabetes for an average of 9 years (9.4 ± 4.6 years). The use of these herbals for blood glucose control ranged from one month to 8 years; approximately 50% of these patients consumed these products over a year’s time. Only two cases had combined herbal products and metformin 500 mg. A total mean of herbal pills consumed was 9 (SD ± 8); patients commonly took combinations of 2 different colored tablets. Major manifestations included gastrointestinal disorders, severe metabolic acidosis (pH = 6.85 ± 0.22, HCO3- = 4.4 ± 2.6), with multi-organ failure and shock on admission. Hyperlactatemia was present in all cases (195 ± 74 mg/dL). For lactate removal and acidosis correction, intermittent hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy was performed, ranging from 2 hours to 72 hours depending on the severity of lactic acidosis and patient need. The mortality rate was 33.3% and all these patients became hypoglycemic, either at initial presentation or during treatment. 22 samples of herbal pills were available for testing that contained the biguanides metformin and phenformin, with a higher concentration of phenformin than metformin if both were present, Phenformin was presented in all samples. Arsenic was found in two samples. Conclusion: Biguanides are an effective treatment for diabetes and were added to traditional herbal pills sold and used for blood glucose control. Many users of these products are doing so because of the cost and perception of the safety of natural remedies. Biguanide poisoning may still occur even in patients without renal impairment.