Plasmatic cystatin C for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate in intensive care units.

Abstract

To compare the sensitivity of cystatin C and creatinine in detecting decreased glomerular filtration rate. Prospective observational study. Medical intensive care unit at a university hospital. Fourteen patients hospitalised in a medical intensive care unit. Cystatin C and creatinine plasmatic levels were measured in 40 blood samples taken with an interval of at least 24 h. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by creatinine clearance using 24-h urine collection and the classical Cockcroft-Gault equation. The ability of cystatin C to detect a glomerular filtration rate under 80 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) was significantly better than that of creatinine ( p<0.05). Cystatin C, a new plasmatic marker of renal function, could be used to detect renal failure in intensive care in the future.