['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.', '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.', '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'] Does neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin predict myocardial dysfunction and mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock?