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Urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), a marker of tubular damage, is increased in patients with chronic heart failure
Author(s) -
Damman Kevin,
Veldhuisen Dirk J.,
Navis Gerjan,
Voors Adriaan A.,
Hillege Hans L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1016/j.ejheart.2008.07.001
Subject(s) - lipocalin , medicine , neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin , heart failure , urinary system , cardiology , gastroenterology
Renal impairment, as measured by reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE), is prevalent in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is associated with reduced survival. The prevalence of structural tubular damage in CHF is unknown. We investigated 90 CHF patients and 20 age and sex matched healthy controls, and determined estimated GFR, UAE, N terminal‐pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a marker for tubular damage. CHF patients had significantly lower averaged estimated GFR (64 ± 17 vs 90 ± 12 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , P<0.0001), but higher NT‐proBNP and UAE levels (both P<0.0001). Median urinary NGAL levels were markedly increased in CHF patients compared to controls (175 (70–346) vs 37 (6–58) μg/gCr, P<0.0001). Both serum creatinine (r=0.26, P=0.006) and eGFR (r=−0.29, P=0.002) were significantly associated with urinary NGAL levels as were NT‐proBNP and UAE but to a lesser extent. In conclusion, renal impairment in CHF patients is not only characterised by decreased eGFR and increased UAE, but also by the presence of tubular damage, as measured by increased urinary NGAL concentrations.