Association of plasma lactate concentration at admission of severe preeclampsia to maternal complications

Objective: To evaluate in women with severe preeclampsia the association of lactate concentration at admission with maternal complications. Methods: A prospective cohort was created of women with severe preeclampsia consecutively admitted to an Obstetrical High-Dependency Unit. Plasma lactate concentration was measured at admission and its association to maternal complication was evaluated. Results: A total of 100 women were included, of which 30 (30%) had a maternal complication. The mean lactate plasma concentration in this group was significantly higher than in those uncomplicated cases (2.38 vs 3.1 mmol/L; p < 0.01). A total of 37 (37%) women had lactate concentrations at > 3 mmol/L, which was associated to higher incidence of maternal complications (19% vs. 48.6%; p = 0.002; OR 4.03 [95% CI 1.64-9.9]). This association remained independent of other standard severity criteria (OR 3.89; 95%CI 1.22-12.4; p = 0.022). Conclusion: Increased plasma lactate concentrations at admission in women with severe preeclampsia are independently associated to maternal complications.