Prognostic value of the lactate-to-albumin ratio in adult sepsis: An updated systematic review of prognostic evidence.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review assessed the prognostic value of the lactate-to-albumin ratio (LAR) for mortality in adults with sepsis or septic shock. Fourteen studies were analyzed, revealing that higher LAR is consistently linked to increased mortality, with AUC values ranging from approximately 0.65 to 0.87. Notably, one cohort reported an AUC of 0.976.

Key findings

• Higher LAR is consistently associated with increased mortality in sepsis patients.
• AUC values for LAR ranged from approximately 0.65 to 0.87.
• One smaller cohort reported an AUC of 0.976 for LAR.
• Considerable variability exists in reported cut-offs and diagnostic performance.

Why it matters

Understanding the prognostic value of LAR can aid clinicians in assessing mortality risk in sepsis patients, potentially guiding treatment decisions and resource allocation in critical care settings.