Urinary biomarkers for early diagnosis of perioperative acute kidney injury in dogs: a narrative review.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To provide the knowledge and context necessary for veterinary anaesthetists to appraise and design studies utilising biomarkers as outcome measures for acute kidney injury (AKI). DATABASES USED: PubMed, Medline and CAB abstracts. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of AKI in dogs currently relies upon markers of glomerular function that are delayed and not specific to the tubular structural injury present during anaesthesia-related AKI. Several urinary biomarkers of renal tubular dysfunction, notably neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, clusterin, cystatin B, cystatin C and γ-glutamyl transferase, show promise as very early markers of perioperative AKI in dogs. However, for their reliable and routine use, a larger evidence base is required in the setting of canine perioperative AKI and there is a need for standardisation of measurement and reporting methodology.