Tissue ischemia microdialysis assessments following severe traumatic haemorrhagic shock: Lactate/pyruvate ratio as a new resuscitation end point?

Intensive care of severe trauma patients focuses on the treatment of haemorrhagic shock. Tissues should be perfused sufficiently with blood and with sufficient oxygen content to ensure adequate tissue oxygen delivery. Tissue metabolism can be monitored by microdialysis, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio (LPR) may be used as a tissue ischemia marker.