The predictive performance of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) increases with grade of acute kidney injury.

Background: In adult cardiac surgery, the predictive value for AKI of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) appears to have wide variability. The choice of definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) might, at least in part, account for such variability.

Methods: In a prospective study of 100 adult cardiac surgery patients, we assessed the value of postoperative plasma NGAL in predicting AKI according to the degree of severity used for its definition.

Results: The predictive value of plasma NGAL varied according to the AKI definition used and was higher for more severe AKI (increase in creatinine >50%: mean AUC-ROC 0.79 +/- 0.01) compared to less severe AKI (>25%: mean AUC-ROC 0.65 +/- 0.02); P = 0.001. The discriminatory ability of NGAL for AKI also increased with increasing RIFLE classes (AUC-ROC R: 0.72, I: 0.79, F: 0.80) or AKIN stages (AUC-ROC 1: 0.75, 2: 0.78, 3: 0.81); P = 0.015. It was highest for the prediction of renal replacement therapy (AUC-ROC: 0.83).

Conclusions: In adult cardiac surgery patients, the predictive value of NGAL increases with grade of AKI. This observation needs to be taken into account when interpreting any future studies of this biomarker.