High blood lactate level is a marker of tissue hypoxia and indicates presence of poor perfusion and oxygen debt which increases lactate levels due to anaerobic glycolysis (Rivers et al., 2001). From: Encyclopedia of Respiratory Medicine (Second Edition), 2022 View all Topics Add to Mendeley About this page Assessment of Cardiovascular Function Lactic acid is a chemical your body produces when your cells break down carbohydrates for energy. You might see it referred to as lactate. Muscle cells and red blood cells make the most lactic acid, but it can come from any tissue in your body. Most people think of lactic acid in their muscles during a tough workout. What is Lactate? Lactate is a bi-product constantly produced in the body during normal metabolism and exercise. It does not increase in concentration until the rate of lactate production exceeds the rate of lactate removal which is governed by a number of factors. Lactate is a key energy substrate in skeletal muscle fibers, providing us with sufficient energy during exercise. Lactate increases the number of mitochondria (the energy powerhouses of cells) in muscle cells. Lactate plays a key role in supplying energy for cognitive functioning during exercise. This test measures the level of lactic acid, also known as lactate, in your blood. Lactic acid is a substance made by muscle tissue and by red blood cells, which carry oxygen from your lungs to other parts of your body. Normally, the level of lactic acid in the blood is low. Lactic acid levels rise when oxygen levels decrease. The levels of blood lactate and fibrinogen may represent the severity of children with traumatic brain injury and may be risk factors for poor prognosis of children with traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients, leading to long-term physical, cognitive, and HUcP.

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