Correlation between anion gap, blood L lactate concentration and survival in horses.

This research examines the relationship between anion gap, blood L lactate concentration, and survival chances in horses suspected of metabolic acidosis. The findings suggest that both anion gap and L lactate levels are indicative of a horse’s prognosis, but measuring L lactate did not enhance survival prediction beyond what can be assessed through the anion gap.

Study Details and Methodology

• The researchers looked into two variables – blood L lactate concentration and anion gap in a sample of 32 horses. These horses were chosen for suspected metabolic acidosis, a condition where the body produces too much acid or when the kidneys are not removing enough acid from the body.
• Anion gap and blood L lactate concentration were measured, and their relationship was assessed. The researchers used statistical analysis to determine the correlation between the two variables.

Findings

• The results of the study showed a strong linear correlation between blood L lactate concentration and anion gap. This means as blood L lactate concentration increases, so does the anion gap, and vice versa.
• Both these variables were found to be good prognostic indicators, meaning they could potentially help predict the outcomes (like survival chances) for horses with suspected metabolic acidosis.
• The anion gap was a good predictor of the presence of L lactic acidosis but not its severity.

Implications and Conclusion

• A noteworthy finding was that while the anion gap was a better prognostic indicator, the addition of L lactate measurements did not enhance the ability to predict survival. In other words, measuring L lactate levels didn’t provide any additional predictive value above what the anion gap could provide.
• This implies that for predicting outcomes in horses suspected of metabolic acidosis, it may not be necessary to measure both variables. Assessing the anion gap might be sufficient.
• However, it’s important to remember these findings are based on a small sample size, and more research may need to be conducted to validate these results in a larger population of horses.