Lactate infusion improves cardiac function in a porcine model of ischemic cardiogenic shock

TY - JOUR

T1 - Lactate infusion improves cardiac function in a porcine model of ischemic cardiogenic shock

AU - Hørsdal, Oskar Kjærgaard

AU - Ellegaard, Mark Stoltenberg

AU - Larsen, Alexander Møller

AU - Guldbrandsen, Halvor Østerby

AU - Moeslund, Niels

AU - Eifer Møller, Jacob

AU - Helgestad, Ole Kristian Lerche

AU - Ravn, Hanne Berg

AU - Wiggers, Henrik

AU - Nielsen, Bent Roni Ranghøj

AU - Gopalasingam, Nigopan

AU - Berg-Hansen, Kristoffer

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality and medical therapies have failed to improve survival. Treatment with lactate is associated with improved cardiac function which may benefit this condition. Comprehensive hemodynamic assessment of lactate administration in CS is lacking, and the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular effects of lactate in CS have not yet been elucidated. In this study we aimed to study the cardiovascular and cardiometabolic effects of treatment with lactate in experimental ischemic CS. Methods: In a randomized, blinded design, 20 female pigs (60 kg) were studied. Left main coronary artery microsphere injections were used to cause CS, defined as a 30% reduction in CO or mixed venous saturation (SvO2). Subjects were randomized to receive either intravenous exogenous lactate or euvolemic, equimolar saline (control) for 180 min. Positive inotropic control with dobutamine was administered on top of ongoing treatment after 180 min. Extensive hemodynamic measurements were obtained from pulmonary artery and left ventricular (LV) pressure–volume catheterization. Furthermore, endomyocardial biopsies were analyzed for mitochondrial function and arterial, renal vein, and coronary sinus blood samples were collected. The primary endpoint was change in CO during 180 min of treatment. Results: Arterial lactate levels increased from 2.4 ± 1.1 to 7.7 ± 1.1 mmol/L (P < 0.001) during lactate infusion. CO increased by 0.7 L/min (P < 0.001) compared with control, due to increased stroke volume (P = 0.003). Notably, heart rate and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly between treatments. End-systolic elastance (load independent contractility) was enhanced during lactate infusion (P = 0.048), together with LV ejection fraction (P = 0.009) and dP/dt(max) (P = 0.041). Arterial elastance (afterload) did not differ significantly (P = 0.12). This resulted in improved ventriculo-arterial coupling efficiency (P = 0.012). Cardiac mechanical efficiency (P = 0.003), diuresis (P = 0.016), and SvO2 (P = 0.018) were increased during lactate infusion. Myocardial mitochondrial complex I respiration was enhanced during lactate infusion compared with control (P = 0.04). Concomitant administration of dobutamine on top of lactate resulted in further hemodynamic improvements compared with control. Conclusions: Lactate infusion improved cardiac function and myocardial mitochondrial respiration in a porcine model of CS. The hemodynamic effects included increased CO mediated through stroke volume increase. These favorable cardiovascular effects may benefit patients with CS.

AB - Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is associated with high mortality and medical therapies have failed to improve survival. Treatment with lactate is associated with improved cardiac function which may benefit this condition. Comprehensive hemodynamic assessment of lactate administration in CS is lacking, and the mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular effects of lactate in CS have not yet been elucidated. In this study we aimed to study the cardiovascular and cardiometabolic effects of treatment with lactate in experimental ischemic CS. Methods: In a randomized, blinded design, 20 female pigs (60 kg) were studied. Left main coronary artery microsphere injections were used to cause CS, defined as a 30% reduction in CO or mixed venous saturation (SvO2). Subjects were randomized to receive either intravenous exogenous lactate or euvolemic, equimolar saline (control) for 180 min. Positive inotropic control with dobutamine was administered on top of ongoing treatment after 180 min. Extensive hemodynamic measurements were obtained from pulmonary artery and left ventricular (LV) pressure–volume catheterization. Furthermore, endomyocardial biopsies were analyzed for mitochondrial function and arterial, renal vein, and coronary sinus blood samples were collected. The primary endpoint was change in CO during 180 min of treatment. Results: Arterial lactate levels increased from 2.4 ± 1.1 to 7.7 ± 1.1 mmol/L (P < 0.001) during lactate infusion. CO increased by 0.7 L/min (P < 0.001) compared with control, due to increased stroke volume (P = 0.003). Notably, heart rate and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly between treatments. End-systolic elastance (load independent contractility) was enhanced during lactate infusion (P = 0.048), together with LV ejection fraction (P = 0.009) and dP/dt(max) (P = 0.041). Arterial elastance (afterload) did not differ significantly (P = 0.12). This resulted in improved ventriculo-arterial coupling efficiency (P = 0.012). Cardiac mechanical efficiency (P = 0.003), diuresis (P = 0.016), and SvO2 (P = 0.018) were increased during lactate infusion. Myocardial mitochondrial complex I respiration was enhanced during lactate infusion compared with control (P = 0.04). Concomitant administration of dobutamine on top of lactate resulted in further hemodynamic improvements compared with control. Conclusions: Lactate infusion improved cardiac function and myocardial mitochondrial respiration in a porcine model of CS. The hemodynamic effects included increased CO mediated through stroke volume increase. These favorable cardiovascular effects may benefit patients with CS.

KW - Cardiac output

KW - Cardiogenic shock

KW - Cardiometabolic

KW - Hemodynamics

KW - Lactate

KW - Mitochondrial function

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000182414

U2 - 10.1186/s13054-025-05346-2

DO - 10.1186/s13054-025-05346-2

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 40083003

SN - 1364-8535

VL - 29

JO - Critical Care

JF - Critical Care

IS - 1

M1 - 113

ER -