Title:Biochemical Markers in the Prediction of Contrast-induced Acute Kidney Injury
Volume: 28
Issue: 6
Author(s): Magdalena Zdziechowska, Anna Gluba-Brzózka*, Beata Franczyk and Jacek Rysz
Affiliation:
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz,Poland
Keywords:
Contrast-induced acute kidney injury, contrast CT, percutaneous coronary angioplasty, Kidney Injury
Molecule 1 (KIM-1), Neutrophil Gelatinase Lipocalin (NGAL), Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).
Abstract: For many years clinicians have been searching for “kidney troponin”- a simple diagnostic
tool to assess the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Recently, the rise in the variety of contrast-related
procedures (contrast computed tomography (CT), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and angiography)
has resulted in the increased number of contrast-induced acute kidney injuries (CI-AKI). CIAKI
remains an important cause of overall mortality, prolonged hospitalisation and it increases the total
costs of therapy. The consequences of kidney dysfunction affect the quality of life and they may
lead to disability as well. Despite extensive worldwide research, there are no sensitive and reliable
methods of CI-AKI prediction. Kidney Injury Molecule 1 (KIM-1) and Neutrophil Gelatinase
Lipocalin (NGAL) have been considered as kidney-specific molecules. High concentrations of these
substances before the implementation of contrast-related procedures have been suggested to enable the
estimation of kidney vulnerability to CI-AKI and they seem to have the predictive potential for cardiovascular
events and overall mortality. According to other authors, routine determination of known inflammation
factors (e.g., CRP, WBC, and neutrophil count) may be helpful in the prediction of CIAKI.
However, the results of clinical trials provide contrasting results. The pathomechanism of contrast-
induced nephropathy remains unclear. Due to its prevalence, the evaluation of the risk of acute
kidney injury remains a serious problem to be solved. This paper reviews pathophysiology and suggested
optimal markers facilitating the prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury.