Table 1.

Desirable characteristics of potential biomarkers of CI-AKI

Easy and simple to measure and be consistent in repetitive measurements

Amenable to sensitive measurement

Provide rapid results that are specific to the injury

Identify source of injury

Allow diagnosis of AKI due to CM, differentiating it from prerenal azotemia and CKD

Able to predict or at least estimate timing of onset of CI-AKI

Offer an indication of the severity of injury and to distinguish between normal and abnormal functions

Predict outcome of renal injury with respect to recovery/requirement of dialysis/mortality

Allow early clinical intervention if necessary and monitoring of the effect of the intervention

To be cost effective

To be measurable in biological fluids that can be easily obtained

Abbreviations: CI-AKI, contrast-induced acute kidney injury; CM, contrast media; CKD, chronic kidney disease.