Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025

Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty
Published on: January 28, 2020
Renal Biomarkers in Heart Failure: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Amudha Kumar1, Vignesh Chidambaram2, Harinivas Shanmugavel Geetha3
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Serum cystatin C and NGAL predict adverse outcomes in heart failure (HF) patients. These renal biomarkers, including KIM-1, are crucial for predicting mortality, hospitalizations, and worsening renal function (WRF) in HF.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1 are recognized renal biomarkers for heart failure (HF) risk stratification.
- Clinical adoption of these biomarkers is limited due to inconsistencies in their application and interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum cystatin C, NGAL, KIM-1, and clinical outcomes in patients with acute and chronic HF.
- To evaluate the predictive value of these biomarkers for mortality, hospitalizations, and worsening renal function (WRF).
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of peer-reviewed English-language articles from PubMed and EMBASE up to December 2021.
- Inclusion of 100 articles comprising 45,428 patients to analyze biomarker associations with HF outcomes.
- Assessment of publication bias using funnel plots.
Main Results:
- Elevated serum cystatin C (top tertile vs. bottom) was associated with increased mortality (pHR: 1.59) and a composite of mortality and HF hospitalizations (pHR: 1.49).
- Higher serum NGAL levels indicated increased mortality (pHR: 2.91) and composite outcomes (HR: 4.11).
- Both serum and urine NGAL predicted WRF (pHRs 2.40 and 2.01, respectively), while urine KIM-1 predicted WRF (pHR: 1.60) but not other outcomes. High heterogeneity was observed.
Conclusions:
- Serum cystatin C and serum NGAL are independent predictors of adverse outcomes in HF patients.
- Serum and urine NGAL are significant predictors of worsening renal function (WRF) in the context of HF.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...
Heart Failure Drugs: β-Blockers
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

