NGAL and early AKI detection, Call for Action!

Abstract

Urol Nephrol Open Access J 2016, 3(3): 00077 perhaps only following a major kidney damage. SCr is also influenced by factors such as age, gender, and muscle mass and nutritional status. It is also unable to differentiate pre-renal AKI from intrinsic renal AKI like acute tubular necrosis (ATN). AKI should be diagnosed earlier in order to protect against adverse outcomes. There is increasing evidence for adverse outcomes associated with AKI including, longer hospital length of stay, significant complication rates (including infection), risk of CKD, development of cardiovascular disease and higher mortality. The risk of worsening or de novo CKD following an episode of AKI (even if renal functions returned back to normal) remains high [2]. Fast and accurate AKI biomarkers will significantly improve morbidity and mortality by providing early diagnosis. This is particularly important for effective patient management in AKI. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) seem to represent a suitable option to accomplish this task and replace SCr in AKI diagnosis.