The following is the summary of “Alactic base excess is an independent predictor of death in sepsis: A propensity score analysis” published in January 2023 issue of Critical Care by Cantos, et al.

Alactic base excess, also known as ABE, is a new biomarker that evaluates the renal capacity to handle acid-base abnormalities caused by sepsis. It is defined as the sum of lactate and standard base excess. To determine whether or not ABE is a reliable indicator of mortality in septic patients, both those with and those without renal impairment will take part in this study.

Researchers conducted a retrospective study on a total of 1,178 individuals who were suffering from sepsis and septic shock. Patients were categorized into one of three groups based on their ABE levels: those with a negative ABE (<−3 mmol/L), neutral ABE (≥ − 3 and < 4 mmol/L), and positive ABE (≥4 mmol/L). Following an evaluation of propensity scores, a Cox regression weight by inverse probability weighting (IPWT) analysis was performed to determine how much of an impact ABE had on mortality. In addition, investigators carried out a stratified analysis on individuals whose Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was greater than GFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m².

Those with a negative ABE had a greater mortality rate than patients with a neutral ABE (adjusted hazard ratio=1.43; 95% CI=1.02–2.01). In addition, they  found a higher mortality rate in patients with a negative ABE (adjusted HR 2.43; 95% CI: 1.07–5.53) in the group of patients who had a GFR of more than 60 mL/min/1.73 m² (n=493). Negative ABE is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in septic patients, regardless of whether or not the patients have renal impairment.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0883944122002775