Patients developing postoperative ARD had significantly higher urinary NGAL concentrations early after cardiac surgery. Urinary NGAL may therefore be a useful early biomarker of ARD after cardiac surgery. These findings may facilitate the early detection of acute renal injury and potentially prevent progression to acute renal failure.

Nesiritide in the setting of CABG with CPB is associated with improved postoperative renal function and possibly enhanced survival. (The NAPA Trial; ; ).

The most practicable marker that identifies patients at highest risk for postoperative pulmonary complications is the need for postoperative mechanical ventilation of a cumulative duration >48 hrs.