RESUMO
AIMS: To determine whether the level of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) can predict acute kidney injury (AKI) and clinical outcomes after recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of consecutive admitted patients with ROSC after OHCA between January 2013 and March 2015. Plasma was collected within 4h of ROSC to determine the level of NGAL. Outcome variables were AKI, 30-day survival, and good neurological outcome (GNO). We evaluated the association between NGAL and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included. AKI occurred in 26 (48.0%); 15 (27.7%) survived over 30 days and 8 had GNO (14.8%). NGAL was significantly lower in the group with non-AKI, 30-day survival, and GNO. To predict AKI, 30-day survival, and GNO, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for NGAL was 0.810, 0.728, and 0.875, respectively. In a logistic regression model, NGAL >189 ngml(-1) was strongly associated with AKI (odds ratio [OR] 7.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.89-26.01) in a multivariate model. A lower level of NGAL was strongly associated with 30-day survival (OR 6.12, 95% CI: 1.64-23.42 at NGAL <153.5 ngml(-1)) and GNO (OR 19.83, 95% CI: 2.21-178.32 at NGAL <129.5 ngml(-1)) in a univariate model, but was not significantly associated with outcomes in a multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma NGAL is a strong predictor of AKI in patients exhibiting OHCA at ICU admission. Lower levels of NGAL are associated with greater chance of 30-day survival and GNO.