Rozenfeld KL, Zahler D, Shtark M, et al. - In this study with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), researchers assessed the incidence as well as the likely implications of high neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels (suggesting renal damage) vs both functional and damage markers (manifested as serum creatinine [sCr] rise) and no NGAL/sCr change. Overall 131 patients were included. Experts collected blood samples for plasma NGAL at 24 h post-PCI. They adopted the terms NGAL(–) or NGAL(+) with levels ≥ 100 ng/mL indicating renal tubular damage and the terms. sCr(–) or sCr(+) to consensus diagnostic increments in sCr describing acute kidney injury. Findings revealed a common incidence of elevated NGAL levels, suggestive of renal tubular damage, increased inflammation, or both, in STEMI patients. In addition, adverse outcomes were reported in correlation with elevated NGAL levels even in the absence of diagnostic rise in sCr.