Lactate Pericardial Fluid
What is this test?
This test is used to evaluate the levels of the lactate present in the pericardial fluid. The lactate is produced by almost every cell in the body and the concentration of lactate is generally low. The cells normally generate energy by converting glucose in the presence of oxygen. During the lack or decreased oxygen supply, the cells produce lactate which is then converted to produce ATP as energy. The increase or decrease in the lactate levels may indicate the presence of conditions or diseases which may either increase lactate production or decrease lactate clearance or presence of any metabolic disorders like diabetes, lactic acidosis etc.
What is Pericardial fluid?
The layer covering the heart is called the pericardium. The pericardium keeps the heart in place and protects the heart from infections. The pericardium secretes a fluid which covers the heart called as the pericardial fluid. The pericardial fluid lubricates the surface of the heart to prevent friction around the surrounding tissues when the heart beats. The pericardium and pericardial fluid prevent the heart from stretching and overfilling with blood. Changes in the volume, composition of pericardial fluid may occur in conditions like cardiac trauma, kidney diseases, infections or cancers, recent heart surgery etc.
What is Lactate?
Lactate is a product of cell metabolism. A Large amount of lactate is produced by the cells during the lack of oxygen due to strenuous exercise or in seriously ill patients who are suffering from conditions like sepsis, hypoxia, lactic acidosis, etc. The lactate is released into the blood which is then metabolized and excreted by the liver. The blood concentrations of lactate may be used to evaluate the disease or disorders.
Why is this test performed?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like fever, loss of appetite, pain, and swelling of joints, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal pain or feeling of fullness, difficulty in breathing, chest pain or pressure, weakness, dizziness etc.
This test is also recommended to check existing conditions like cardiac trauma, ischemia, acute pancreatitis, cardiac and pulmonary disorders like heart attack, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolism, eating disorders, malignancies, kidney failure, uncontrolled diabetes etc. This test may also be recommended to evaluate the progress of the treatment or to evaluate the condition of the patient.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Lactate Pericardial Fluid. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Lactate Pericardial Fluid.
No special preparation is needed for this test.
Understanding your test results
Higher or lower values of lactate in the pericardial fluid test results may indicate that the individual may have the diseases or conditions like myocardial infarction, thoracic trauma, kidney or liver diseases, cancers or tumors, muscle disorders, infections like tuberculosis, bacterial or viral pericarditis, rheumatic disease etc.
Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests, etc.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | Fluid LD activity is normally less than plasma LD activity. Equal in inflammatory processes |