# The utility of urinary liver-binding fatty acid protein levels as a promising biomarker for early detection of acute kidney injury following coronary angiography: a pre-post study at Suez Canal University Hospital

## TL;DR

This study explores using urinary L-FABP levels to detect early kidney injury after heart procedures, showing promising results.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the potential of urinary L-FABP as an early biomarker for contrast-induced acute kidney injury.

## Key findings

- Urinary L-FABP levels significantly increased after contrast injection, indicating early kidney injury.
- CIN incidence was 9.7%, with higher risk in older patients and those with high HbA1c.
- L-FABP showed significant changes within 6 hours and 48 hours post-contrast.

## Abstract

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a common complication of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions, with incidence rates ranging from 1% to 25%. Pre-existing renal impairment is the most significant predisposing factor. L-FABP has been evaluated as a biomarker for CIN.

The aim of this study was early detection of acute kidney injury after coronary angiography by detecting levels of L-FABP as a biomarker to improve the patient’s outcome.

This is a Pre-post study, as we assessed urinary levels of L-FABP and serum creatinine before and after IV contrast. Sixty-two patients (42 males and 20 females) were recruited from the cardiac catheterization unit of Suez Canal University Hospitals in Ismailia City between December 2021 and January 2022. The study involved medical history, clinical examinations, blood samples for lipid, CBC, creatinine, HbA1C for diabetics, urine L-FABP measurement, and echocardiography. The Mehran score was calculated for each patient to predict risk for CIN and dialysis. Follow-up care for individuals diagnosed with CIN until recovery.

Nearly 70% had hypertension (HTN), 48.4% were diabetic, and 16% had CKD. The mean urinary L-FABP pre-contrast was 187.13 ± 59.07 ng/l, and post-contrast was 201.79 ± 81.8 ng/l. The incidence of CIN was 9.7%. urinary L-FABP levels showed a statistically significant difference within the first 6 h and after 48 h of contrast injection.

In conclusion, CIN is prevalent in advanced-age patients with higher HbA1c levels in patients undergoing coronary interventions. Post-contrast levels showed a significant difference, suggesting potential for early renal injury detection.