Despite of numerous evidences that elevated serum lactate levels were associated with unfavorable outcomes, there have been no study demonstrated an optimal cutoff of serum lactate in unselected patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the prognostic property of lactate, and to identify a cutoff of serum lactate level for predicting 30-day in-hospital mortality among unselected patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). A serum lactate level > 2.6 mmol/L predicted 30-day in-hospital mortality in unselected patients who arrived to the ED and were admitted to the hospital. Additionally, serum lactate test in the ED could be an effective screening method for identifying low risk patients.

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