CAN NGAL BE USED AS AN EARLY MARKER OF CONTRAST-INDUCED NEPHROPATHY IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

YEŞIM İŞLER¹, ŞERIFE ÖZDINDz, HALIL KAYA¹

¹Sağlik Bilimleri University, Bursa Training and Research Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Bursa ²Afyon Kocatepe University, Medical Faculty, Department of Emergency Medicine, Afyonkarahisar

Aim: The objective of this study was to indicate the importance of the level of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) against Serum Creatinine (SCr) for the early diagnosis of acute renal failure (ARF) related to contrast agent.

Methods: 60 voluntary patients admitted to the emergency department for various reasons who had underwent contrast- enhanced computerized tomography scans were included in the study. Blood samples for NGAL, creatinine were taken from the peripheral veins of the patients; pre exposure (0 hours) and post exposure to contrast agent on the 4th and 24th hours were exam- ined for contrast computed tomography.

Results: NGAL value was measured 4 hours after the administration of the contrast agent in our study and was significantly increased (p<0.05), however the creatinine value did not show a statistically significant change (p>0.05). When NGAL values were considered in relation to age, a significant increase was observed in patients over sixty years of age (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups based on the creatinine values (p>0.05).

Conclusion: It was determined in the present study that NGAL indicates more significant results in comparison with creati- nine with regard to the early diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy which can develop in patients who underwent a contrast- enhanced tomography scan. It is believed that NGAL can be the reagent which replaces creatinine in future studies for the early diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy particularly for patients aged 60 and above. Further investigations are required for clarifying the role of NGAL values in the early diagnosis of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy after contrast-enhanced computed tomography in Emergency Department.