Lactic acid to pyruvate ratio

Pyruvate is a product of glycolysis. Under normal circumstances, it is oxidized to CO2 and H2O through the tricarboxyl cycle to keep the lactic acid / pyruvate ratio in the blood at about 9. When the body is under anoxic metabolism, pyruvate is reduced to lactic acid. The ratio rises, the more severe the hypoxia, the higher the ratio. The determination of this ratio is of value in identifying the severity of circulatory failure.