Utilidad del lactato deshidrogenasa como predictor de mortalidad

Abstract

Lactate dehydrogenase, or LDH, is the final product of metabolism found in all cells of the body. It can be detected once it enters the extracellular space due to a pathological condition such as tissue damage or necrosis. It is produced in various organs of the body and exists in five different isoenzyme forms: LDH1, LDH2, LDH3, LDH4, and LDH5, with each form present in different organs. A literature review was conducted to establish the validity of lactate dehydrogenase as a predictor of mortality through accurate laboratory measurement of this enzyme and to provide healthcare personnel with appropriate interpretation. The standardized method allows the measurement of this enzyme through the fundamental method of continuous monitoring by measuring the disappearance of NADH. For this, two reagents are required: pyruvate and NADH, and the pH should be 7.4. The wavelength to be used for measuring lactate dehydrogenase is 340nm. Since 2020, LDH has been used as an indicator of the development of severe illness and as a predictor of mortality in patients with COVID-19, as a relationship has been established between elevated LDH levels and a worse prognosis in patients with this condition. Although there are adverse factors that can modify LDH levels, this does not preclude using the enzyme as a predictor of mortality.