Hypoalbuminaemia and Blood Urea Nitrogen/Creatinine Ratio as Early Markers of Acute Kidney Injury in Postoperative Cardiac Patients- A Prospective Study

Introduction: Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) occurs as the consequence of intraoperative risk factors associated with cardiac surgery. Biochemical monitoring of patients undergoing cardiac surgery enables early detection of AKI. Serum albumin and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): creatinine ratio serves as a simple tool for identifying increased risk of AKI. Aim: To determine serum albumin and the BUN: creatinine ratio as a predictive tool for AKI risk in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at Cardio Thoracic super specialty unit of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, between July 2020 to March 2021. A total of 30 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting in the age group between 40 to 70 years with normal serum creatinine levels were included. Preoperative and postoperative parameters such as urea, creatinine, total protein, serum albumin, BUN: creatinine ratio and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) were calculated. Data were analysed statistically by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Student’s t-test. A p-value