In necrotizing fasciitis patients, hyperlactatemia on Emergency Department arrival is independently predictive of in-hospital mortality.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a very serious skin infection which involves rapidly spreading inflammation and extensive necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and superficial fascia. Even with aggressive treatment, patients may suffer mortality and significant morbidity such as amputation and organ failure.

Hyperlactatemia (high blood lactate level) is known to be associated with adverse outcome in critical illness. With this study, Cheng et al. aim to identify if high blood lactate levels on admission at the Emergency Department is a reliable predictor for in-hospital mortality in necrotizing fasciitis patients.

This study indicates that blood lactate levels on admission at the Emergency Department are associated with mortality in necrotizing fasciitis patients, even after adjusting for age, serum albumin, and SOFA score.

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