To date, the most studied and promising biomarkers have been neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18), kidney injury molecule-1 and cystatin C.11 Liangos et al. reported that peri-operative plasma IL-8 levels predicted the occurrence of postoperative AKI among adults operated on for CABG with CPB.12 Fanning et al. reported urinary NGAL, measured 24 hours after the initiation of CPB, to be a better predictor of postoperative AKI.13 The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is acute kidney injury.