Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in heart transplant recipients after conversion to everolimus therapy

摘要

Background: Due to the lack of nephrotoxic activity, proliferation signal inhibitors (PSI) such as everolimus are recommended for immunosuppression after heart transplantation, but the assessment of renal function in patients receiving PSI has led to conflicting results. We examined renal integrity and function using neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and conventional markers [plasma creatinine, cystatin C, urine albumin, alpha(1)-microglobulin (alpha M-1)] in heart transplant patients, who underwent conversion to everolimus due to allograft vasculopathy, graft rejection episodes, or renal function deterioration, and in patients maintained on calcineurin inhibitors (CNI).