Serum Lactate Levels and Their Correlation With Hospital Outcomes in ICU Patients With Shock: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Center

Elevated serum lactate levels, both at admission and 24 hours, were identified as strong predictors of mortality, mechanical ventilation, and prolonged ICU stay in shock patients. Serial lactate measurements were found to provide valuable prognostic information, aiding in early risk stratification and personalized patient management. Further research was recommended to validate these findings across multiple centers and explore the role of lactate clearance in predicting recovery.