Vipin Chandra Sham Mundhada
Associate Professor, Department of General Surgery, Shri Shankaracharya Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhillai
Abstract
Background: Acute renal injury is a potential complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a common procedure for treating renal stones. Homocysteine, an amino acid associated with endothelial dysfunction, has been proposed as a potential biomarker for renal injury.Aim: To assess plasma homocysteine levels as a marker for acute renal injury in patients undergoing ESWL for renal stone disease.
Methods: This study included 100 patients undergoing ESWL, with plasma homocysteine levels measured before and after the procedure. Inclusion criteria comprised adults aged 18-65 years with confirmed renal stones; exclusion criteria included renal insufficiency, history of cardiovascular disease, or recent surgical procedures.
Results: A significant increase in plasma homocysteine levels was observed post-ESWL (mean increase of 15%, p < 0.05), indicating a correlation with acute renal injury.Conclusion: Elevated plasma homocysteine levels may serve as a useful biomarker for detecting acute renal injury in patients undergoing ESWL.
Keywords: Homocysteine, Acute renal injury, Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, Renal stone disease, Biomarker.