Lactate measurement: arterial versus venous blood sampling

Lactate is the end product of the metabolic process of glucose utilization, known as anaerobic glycolysis, which occurs in the cytoplasm of all cells. In well-oxygenated tissues this lactate is metabolized further, but if tissues are inadequately oxygenated, lactate accumulates locally and blood concentration increases. As a blood marker of tissue hypoxia, lactate measurement has long-established clinical utility, most notably in the assessment and monitoring of acutely/critically ill patients and major trauma victims in emergency room and intensive care units. Arterial blood is the gold standard sample for lactate measurement, but a reading of the literature and current practice suggests that venous blood is considered an acceptable alternative.