Early Markers of Renal Injury in ED Patients (H-43693)

Background: Serum creatinine (sCr), the most widely used marker of kidney function, is used to define acute kidney injury (AKI), however, as a single measurement it is unhelpful in differentiating acute from chronic kidney disease. Serum creatinine is insensitive and slow to respond after kidney injury and may lead to a late and inaccurate diagnosis of AKI.

NGAL is an early biomarker of acute kidney injury. Early knowledge that a patient is likely to develop AKI may prompt closer patient monitoring and help prevent permanent kidney damage or even death.

Purpose: Determine the accuracy of NGAL in predicting kidney injury in various cohorts of patients in the ED.

Project status: ready for enrollment

Open to students: Yes

Research Associate Role: screen, consent, enroll and collect data.