Evaluation of Plasma Homocysteine as a Biomarker for Acute Renal Injury Following Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) in Patients with Renal Stone Disease

Abstract

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive procedure used to fragment renal stones, yet it may cause renal injury. This study aims to evaluate plasma homocysteine levels as a potential marker of acute renal injury in patients undergoing ESWL for renal stone disease. A total of 100 patients with renal calculi underwent ESWL and were assessed for plasma homocysteine levels pre- and post-procedure. Results indicated a significant rise in plasma homocysteine levels post-ESWL, suggesting its association with acute renal injury. Furthermore, patients with larger stones and higher energy settings demonstrated greater increases in homocysteine. These findings indicate that plasma homocysteine may serve as a useful biomarker for renal injury following ESWL, aiding in the early detection and management of renal damage. Further research is necessary to confirm these results and to establish plasma homocysteine as a routine marker in clinical practice.

Keywords: Plasma homocysteine, acute renal injury, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, renal stones, biomarker.