Acute kidney injury is associated with soluble VCAM-1 levels and short-term mortality in ischemic stroke patients

An association between ischemic stroke (IS) and acute renal injury (AKI) has been reported. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of AKI and the potential prognostic validity of a panel of clinical and laboratory biomarkers in predicting AKI and short-term mortality after the IS. A prospective and longitudinal study enrolled 95 patients with IS, adults, both sexes. The severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The disability was determined after three-month follow-up using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and categorized as mild (mRS < 3) and moderate/severe (mRS ≥ 3). The patients were also categorized as survivors and non-survivors after the follow-up. Baseline demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data were recorded, and blood samples were obtained up to 24 h for the determination of laboratory biomarkers. Fifteen (15.7%) patients presented AKI. The proportion of IS patients with vitamin D deficiency and increased soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) levels were higher among those with AKI than those without AKI (p = 0.011, and p = 0.023, respectively). sVCAM-1 were associated with AKI after IS (p = 0.027) and the mortality was higher among those with AKI than those without AKI (p = 0.009). AKI showed better prediction value for mortality than the disability (NIHSS). The study demonstrated AKI as a common complication after IS and its association with short-term mortality. Moreover, sVCAM-1 levels were independent associated with AKI, which suggest a plausible role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of AKI after IS, as well as a potential biomarker to predict AKI in IS patients.