Macrophage migration inhibitory factor as a potential predictor for requirement of renal replacement therapy after orthotopic liver transplantation

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is associated with a poor clinical outcome. Because there is no specific treatment for postoperative AKI, early recognition and prevention are fundamental therapeutic approaches. Concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are elevated in patients with kidney disease. We hypothesized that plasma MIF concentrations would be greater in patients developing AKI after OLT compared with patients with normal kidney function. Twenty‐eight patients undergoing OLT were included in the study. Kidney injury was classified according to AKI network criteria. Fifteen patients (54%) developed severe AKI after OLT, 11 (39%) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). On the first postoperative day, patients with severe AKI had greater plasma MIF concentrations (237 ± 123 ng/mL) than patients without AKI (95 ± 63 ng/mL; P