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Background This study examines the clinical utility of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an indicator of myocardial dysfunction and mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock. Methods We designed a prospective cohort study in an intensive care unit, and 53 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were included. Data were used to determine a relationship between NGAL and the development of myocardial dysfunction and mortality. These associations were determined by the Mann–Whitney test, multiple logistic regression, plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, Kaplan–Meier curves and Spearman test. Results The High NGAL group had higher need for inotropic/vasopressor support (92% vs. 52%, p = 0.0186), higher incidence of regional wall motion abnormalities (46% vs. 13%, p = 0.0093), higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level (p = 0.0197), higher cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level (p = 0.0016), lower ejection fraction (EF) (p < 0.0001) and higher mortality (p = 0.0262) compared to the Low NGAL group. Patients with High NGAL were more likely to manifest electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities (p = 0.042) and demonstrate clinical myocardial dysfunction (p = 0.0186) as evidenced by clinical or radiological evidence of pulmonary edema as compared to those with Low NGAL group. NGAL, BNP, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, cTnI, and PaO 2 /FIO 2 ratio were independent predictor of death by multiple logistic regression analysis. The area under the ROC curve showed that plasma NGAL as a predictor of death in septic shock was significant. Conclusions High plasma NGAL correlates with high mortality and myocardial dysfunction in severe sepsis and septic shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]