Essential nephrology for cardiologist : A new molecule scores over creatinine in predicting acute kidney injury !
Posted Oct 06 2010 9:01am
Bio-chemical diagnosis of cardiac injury or infarction is well documented modality for many decades. Now , acute coronary syndrome is diagnosed by a battery of tests that detects the proteins leaking from the injured myocardium.
Nephrologists have long been aiming for such a marker for ischemic renal injury (Not withstanding the fact , they are already blessed with two age-old molecules creatinine and BUN !)
Neutrophil gelatinase associated Lipocalin (NGAL)
This is 25 Dalton molecule richly secreted within renal cortical cells in response to ischemic injury .
It is released without modification in the urine .High urinary levels of NGAL reflect acute renal injury.
Early experience shows it is a promising investigation and could become a regular biochemical test in the near future.
Urine level of NGAL >100ng/ml 2 hours after cardiac surgery predicts impending renal failure in the next 24-48 hours .The advantage is , it NGAL raises well before serum creatinine.
Cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have started performing complex PCIs and CABGs in patients with delicately and precariously balanced renal function.
While , cardiologists challenge the kidneys with high osmolar contrast agents , the surgeons stress it with extra corporeal circulation. Many of these patients also have co- morbid conditions .
Often , the cardiac outcome is directly linked to pre /post procedural renal function .Nephrologists usually arrive late into the filed (Creatinine SOS calls !).By this time the full-blown ATN sets in many.
Now , we have a tool to identify impending ARF , it gives us little more time and flexibility in managing the issue .
Bio-chemical diagnosis of cardiac injury or infarction is well documented modality for many decades. Now , acute coronary syndrome is diagnosed by a battery of tests that detects the proteins leaking from the injured myocardium.
Nephrologists have long been aiming for such a marker for ischemic renal injury (Not withstanding the fact , they are already blessed with two age-old molecules creatinine and BUN !)
Neutrophil gelatinase associated Lipocalin (NGAL)
NGAL After cardiac surgery
Lipocalin following PCI
Bachorzewska-Gajewska H et al. Neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin and renal function after percutaneous coronary interventions. Am J Nephrol 2006; 26: 287-292.
References for NGAL
Final message