Numerous studies in human and preclinical models have confirmed the effectiveness of NGAL as a biomarker of AKI, particularly following ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury which is commonly observed after cardiac surgery (Bennett et al., 2008; Elitok et al., 2022; Gagneux‐Brunon et al., 2012; Gardner et al., 2014; Haase et al., 2009; Malagrino et al., 2014; Shang & Wang, 2017; Silberstein et al., 2013). Here, LCN2 is linked to acute kidney injury.