Intraoperative lactate measurements are not predictive of death in high risk surgical patients.

Objectives: An increased lactate level is classically considered a marker for poorer prognosis, however little information is available on intraoperative lactate's kinetics and its connection with prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the time when perioperative lactate is most relevant for prognosis.

Methods: This was an observational prospective study conducted in a tertiary hospital.