Evaluating Erythropoietin as an Indicator for Possible Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery

The purpose of the study is to evaluate kidney biomarkers and determine if there is a correlation between Erythropoietin (EPO) levels and acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. An early biomarker for kidney injury may be helpful in identifying, monitoring and managing patients at risk for kidney failure after cardiac surgery. To evaluate Erythropoietin's role as a predictor of poor renal function in the immediate post-bypass period we plan to compare EPO levels to Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL).